Beam-Aware PDCCH Repetition Under Blind Decode Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in enhancing the coverage of physical downlink control channels (PDCCH) for reduced capability wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs, such as in 5G new radio (NR) networks, particularly in managing blind decodes and beam-level coverage enhancement.
Innovation Solution
Implementing overbooking rules to limit the number of blind decodes, determining CE levels for beams, and configuring PDCCH monitoring with repetitions, along with prioritizing search spaces based on repetition cycles to optimize PDCCH monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If PDCCH repetitions are configured to enhance coverage, then coverage reliability is improved, but the number of blind decodes increases exceeding the decoding limit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the PDCCH monitoring task by dividing search spaces into different priority levels (first priority and second priority search spaces). The reduced capability WTRU monitors first priority search spaces with repetitions to achieve coverage enhancement, while second priority search spaces are monitored only when additional decoding capacity is available. This segmentation allows the system to achieve reliable PDCCH coverage without excessively increasing blind decode complexity.
2Reliability
If multiple search spaces with repetitions are monitored to enhance coverage, then PDCCH coverage is improved, but the blind decoding limit is exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by configuring reduced capability WTRUs to monitor only a subset of search spaces based on priority. The WTRU is configured to monitor first priority search spaces with repetitions for enhanced coverage, while second priority search spaces are partially monitored only when decoding capacity permits. This partial monitoring approach achieves sufficient PDCCH coverage without exceeding the blind decoding limit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adaptability by allowing the WTRU to adjust its monitoring behavior based on real-time conditions. The reduced capability WTRU can dynamically switch between monitoring modes (e.g., monitoring only first priority search spaces vs. monitoring both priority levels) based on the available decoding capacity and coverage requirements, optimizing the balance between coverage enhancement and decoding capacity utilization.
3Reliability
If CE levels are determined for beam coverage enhancement, then coverage reliability is improved, but the configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by introducing CE levels (coverage enhancement levels) as configurable parameters that can be applied to different beams and search spaces. The network can configure CE levels dynamically based on coverage requirements, and the reduced capability WTRU interprets these parameters to adjust its monitoring behavior. This parameter-based approach achieves reliable beam coverage enhancement while keeping the configuration manageable through standardized parameter sets.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and instrumentalities are described herein for physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) coverage enhancement for reduced capability wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs). Overbooking rules may be applied, for example, to limit the number of blind decodes, e.g., if/when PDCCH is repeated. A coverage enhancement (CE) level may be determined for a beam. Link recovery may be performed with CE levels. A PDCCH monitoring configuration may include repetitions. The number of blind decodes with repetitions may be limited. A WTRU may report an indication of a best repetition. A WTRU may be configured to perform a measurement associated with a PDCCH repetition, e.g., if/when a PDCCH subject to PDCCH repetition is successfully decoded.