Adaptive PDCCH Monitoring in Unlicensed Downlink Bursts

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for efficient methods and apparatuses to transmit and receive downlink signals between a terminal and a base station in a wireless communication system supporting an unlicensed band, particularly addressing power saving and spectral efficiency in such systems.

Innovation Solution

The method involves a UE recognizing downlink transmission bursts in an unlicensed band and adaptively adjusting the periodicity of PDCCH monitoring based on initial signals from the base station, enhancing power saving and spectral efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the UE performs PDCCH monitoring at a fixed periodicity, then the monitoring is simple and reliable, but the power saving efficiency is reduced and spectral efficiency is not optimized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower saving efficiencyVSAvoidPDCCH monitoring complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by enabling the UE to adjust PDCCH monitoring periodicity from a fixed schedule to an adaptive schedule based on received initial signals. The UE transitions from static monitoring behavior to dynamic behavior where the monitoring periodicity changes in response to channel conditions and transmission patterns, thereby improving power saving efficiency while managing complexity through rule-based adaptation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the monitoring periodicity parameter based on the presence of initial signals. When initial signals are detected, the UE changes the monitoring periodicity parameter to a different value, allowing optimization of power consumption and spectral efficiency. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction by enabling flexible monitoring that balances energy savings with detection reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the UE monitors PDCCH continuously at high periodicity, then the detection reliability is high, but the power consumption increases and spectral efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedownlink signal detection reliabilityVSAvoidUE power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by implementing intermittent PDCCH monitoring based on initial signal detection. Instead of continuous monitoring, the UE performs monitoring at specific periodic intervals triggered by initial signals. This periodic action maintains detection reliability for important downlink signals while significantly reducing overall power consumption by keeping the UE in lower-power states between monitoring intervals

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the UE's detection of initial signals feeds back into the monitoring periodicity adjustment. The presence or absence of initial signals provides feedback information that determines whether the UE should maintain high periodicity monitoring or reduce to lower-power monitoring, thus balancing reliability requirements with power consumption in a closed-loop manner

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If the BS transmits downlink signals without initial signals, then the transmission is simpler, but the UE cannot adaptively adjust monitoring periodicity reducing spectral efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectral efficiencyVSAvoidtransmission procedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the BS transmit initial signals before the actual downlink data transmission. This preliminary action provides the UE with advance information about the upcoming transmission, enabling the UE to adjust its monitoring periodicity in anticipation. The preliminary initial signals prepare the UE for optimized monitoring during the actual data transmission, improving spectral efficiency without significantly increasing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses initial signals as intermediaries between the BS and UE. These initial signals serve as a mediator that carries transmission information and enables the UE to adapt its monitoring behavior. The initial signals act as an intermediary layer that facilitates coordinated adaptation between transmitter and receiver, improving spectral efficiency while adding minimal complexity through standardized signal structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4160971B1Method of monitoring and transmitting a physical downlink control channel in wireless communication system supporting unlicensed band, and device supporting same
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4160971B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4160971B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP4160971B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed are a method for transmitting and receiving downlink signals between a terminal and a base station in a wireless communication system supporting an unlicensed band, and a device supporting same. More specifically, as one applicable embodiment in the present disclosure, the terminal can control/change a monitoring period of a physical downlink control channel on the basis of whether a downlink signal transmission burst is transmitted from a base station, and in response thereto, the base station sets a transmission period of the physical downlink control channel in the downlink signal transmission burst so as to transmit the same to the terminal.