5G NR PDCCH Blind Decoding Reduction Through Adaptive Search Spaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

The high number of blind decoding attempts by user equipment (UE) in cellular wireless communication systems, particularly in 5G NR systems, leads to increased power consumption and receiver complexity, especially for UEs with reduced capabilities and those operating at very high frequencies.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a Base Station (BS) configuring a subset of Aggregation Levels (ALs) and multiplication factors for Search Spaces (SS) based on channel quality and time periods, with dynamic signaling to the UE for iterative monitoring and adaptive blind decoding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the UE performs blind decoding on all possible DCI formats and parameters, then the control information can be reliably received, but the power consumption and receiver complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol information reception reliabilityVSAvoidreceiver complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the search space configuration adjustable and adaptive. The BS can dynamically configure subsets of aggregation levels and apply multiplication factors to control the number of blind decoding attempts based on current channel conditions and UE capabilities, transforming a static blind decoding process into a dynamic, adaptive one that balances reliability and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes key parameters of the blind decoding process by introducing configurable aggregation level subsets and multiplication factors. These parameter changes allow the system to adjust the number of blind decoding attempts according to channel quality and UE capabilities, reducing complexity while maintaining necessary reliability through selective parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the UE performs blind decoding on all possible DCI formats and parameters, then the control information can be reliably received, but the power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol information reception reliabilityVSAvoidUE power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If the UE operates at very high carrier frequencies, then the data rates can be increased, but the effective processing time duration decreases limiting blind decoding capability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata rateVSAvoidprocessing time duration

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and separates the blind decoding process into configurable components. By allowing the BS to configure subsets of aggregation levels and apply multiplication factors, the system extracts only the necessary blind decoding attempts needed for reliable reception, removing unnecessary decoding attempts that would consume valuable processing time at high frequencies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by configuring the UE to perform blind decoding on a subset of aggregation levels rather than all possible levels. The multiplication factor further adjusts this subset, ensuring that the UE performs only the necessary partial set of blind decoding attempts required for reliable control information reception, saving processing time at very high carrier frequencies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Adaptability or versatility

If the BS configures multiple BWPs with overlapping or non-overlapping frequency ranges, then the scheduling flexibility is improved, but the number of blind decoding attempts increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescheduling flexibilityVSAvoidreceiver complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the blind decoding process by allowing configuration of separate search space subsets for different BWPs. Each BWP can have its own configured aggregation level subsets and multiplication factors, dividing the overall blind decoding task into manageable segments that reduce complexity while maintaining scheduling flexibility across multiple BWPs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12389421B2Methods to reduce number of blind decoding attempts done by a user equipment

Publication Date: 2025.08.12 CENT OF EXCELLENCE & WIRELESS TECH

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method of reducing blind decoding attempts by a User Equipment (UE) in a telecommunication network. The method comprises configuring a Search Space (SS) configuration to the UE. A Base Station (BS) signals one of a subset of Aggregation Levels (ALs) to be monitored based on channel quality of the UE and an associated time period, and a value of multiplication factor (k) and an associated time period. The UE iteratively monitors a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) on the ALs signalled by the BS till the UE stops receiving a new configuration. The UE performs one of adopting an original configuration, requesting the BS for a new configuration, utilizing a default configuration or utilizing an original configuration.