Carrier Aggregation Control Across Mixed NR Slot Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in managing downlink and uplink control for component carriers during carrier aggregation, particularly in new radio systems with diverse slot durations and numerologies, which are not adequately addressed by current LTE configurations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a slot format indicator for component carriers that includes a group common PDCCH, indicating slot structure information for other carriers, and generating DCI to manage cross-carrier scheduling with different numerologies, along with CSI measurements and UCI transmission, to facilitate efficient control management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If carrier aggregation is implemented with diverse slot durations and numerologies in new radio systems, then communication flexibility and adaptability are improved, but control management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments control information by introducing separate DCI formats for different slot durations. Each DCI format is specifically designed for particular numerologies, allowing the system to manage diverse carrier configurations through modular, standardized control messages rather than handling all variations through complex general-purpose control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes control parameters by defining specific DCI format parameters that indicate slot duration and numerology type. By embedding these parameter indicators directly in the DCI structures, the system can dynamically adapt control behavior to match the specific carrier aggregation configuration without requiring complex negotiation or reconfiguration procedures.
2Productivity
If cross-carrier scheduling is implemented with different numerologies, then resource allocation efficiency is improved, but scheduling complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments scheduling operations by creating distinct DCI formats (e.g., DCI format 1_1, 1_2, 0_1, 0_2) that are each optimized for specific slot durations and numerologies. This segmentation allows the scheduler to select the appropriate format based on the target carrier's characteristics, simplifying the scheduling logic compared to using a single complex scheduling mechanism for all carriers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces DCI format indicators as intermediary elements that mediate between the scheduler and the diverse carrier configurations. These indicators serve as a standardized interface that conveys slot duration and numerology information from the scheduler to the UE, enabling efficient cross-carrier scheduling without requiring the UE to interpret complex carrier-specific control messages.
3Quantity of substance
If group common PDCCH is used to indicate slot structure for multiple carriers, then control signaling overhead is reduced, but interpretation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the interpretation complexity by defining clear parameter mappings in the DCI formats. Each DCI format contains specific fields that directly indicate slot structure parameters for particular numerologies, allowing the UE to decode slot structure information through standardized parameter extraction rather than complex interpretation of ambiguous signaling.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and apparatus for downlink and uplink control management of component carriers during carrier aggregation in a new radio wireless communication system is disclosed. For example, the method and apparatus include receiving, at a user equipment (UE), a slot format indicator in at least one slot of at least one component carrier of a plurality of component carriers from a network entity, where the at least one component carrier includes a group common Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), the slot format indicator within the group common PDCCH indicating at least slot structure information for one or more other component carriers from the plurality of component carriers; and communicating, with the network entity, using the at least slot structure information for the one more other component carriers.