Aggregation Level Multicast Resource Allocation Signaling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face increased overhead and inefficiency in resource allocation signaling as the number of user equipment (UEs) increases, particularly due to the need for individualized downlink control information messages.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an aggregation level-based multi-cast control channel design, where UEs are grouped by aggregation levels and resource allocations are signaled through multi-cast downlink control messages, reducing the need for individualized messages and optimizing resource allocation information transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If individualized downlink control information messages are sent to each UE, then resource allocation accuracy is improved, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation accuracyVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines resource allocation information for multiple UEs into a single multicast DCI message by grouping UEs with identical aggregation levels. Instead of sending separate unicast messages to each UE, the base station aggregates the control information and transmits it once to all UEs in the group, reducing signaling overhead while maintaining allocation accuracy through UE-specific resource indication fields.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces aggregation level as a grouping parameter to classify UEs. By changing the parameter from individual UE identification to aggregation level-based grouping, the system enables efficient multicast transmission. The aggregation level serves as the key parameter for determining which UEs receive the same multicast message, balancing between message consolidation and individualized allocation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If multicast control messages are used to reduce overhead, then signaling efficiency is improved, but resource allocation precision may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignaling efficiencyVSAvoidresource allocation precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the multicast DCI message into common resource allocation information applicable to all UEs in the group and UE-specific resource indication fields. This segmentation allows the message to serve multiple UEs efficiently while still providing individualized resource allocation details, thus maintaining precision without sacrificing the overhead reduction benefits of multicast transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by providing different levels of information detail to different UEs based on their specific needs. While the overall message is multicast to improve efficiency, each UE can extract and interpret the resource allocation information specific to its local context and aggregation level, ensuring precise resource allocation tailored to each UE's requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Quantity of substance

If the number of UEs increases in a given area, then network capacity is improved, but scheduling complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork capacityVSAvoidscheduling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses aggregation level as a scheduling parameter to simplify the scheduling process. Instead of individually managing resources for each UE, the base station groups UEs by their aggregation levels and applies unified resource allocation rules within each group. This parameter-based approach reduces scheduling complexity while accommodating increased network capacity, as the scheduler only needs to manage groups rather than individual UEs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the multicast DCI message universal by designing it to serve multiple UEs simultaneously. The message structure is designed to be applicable to any UE within an aggregation level group, providing a multi-functional control mechanism that handles resource allocation for varying numbers of UEs without increasing scheduling complexity. This universal approach allows the system to scale capacity while maintaining manageable complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3414963B1Multi-cast resource allocation by aggregation level
Publication Date: 2020.03.18 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3414963B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3414963B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3414963B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Multicasting resource allocation information per aggregation level is enabled. A device allocates resources to UEs according to aggregation level. At each level, a control message includes a bitmap, where each bit corresponds to a different resource, an array, and an ID field for dynamic mapping to the bitmap. The placement order value of an ID in the field is stored at locations in the array. The index value for those locations in the array identifies which asserted bits in the bitmap correspond to the resource allocation for a UE at the level. The control message is multicast to the UEs specified at the aggregation level. The bitmap may have the same length at each level, or have reducing length at lower levels with the removal of bits already asserted at higher levels. The UE reconstructs the bitmap from the higher level bitmaps and the bitmap for the current level.