Compact DCI Formats for 52.6 GHz NR PDCCH Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing carrier frequencies above 52.6 GHz pose challenges for the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in 5G new radio (NR) due to reduced PDCCH coverage and scheduling flexibility, primarily because of the limited PDCCH processing capability and higher subcarrier spacing, which leads to decreased blind decoding and channel estimation efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of compact DCI formats (0_x and 1_x) and PDCCH monitoring units that enable single DCI scheduling for multiple PDSCHs or component carriers, along with PDCCH repetition and enhanced CORESET configurations, to improve coverage and flexibility by reducing payload size and optimizing resource allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If carrier frequency is increased above 52.6 GHz, then data transmission rate is improved, but PDCCH coverage and scheduling flexibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission rateVSAvoidPDCCH coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the PDCCH into multiple repetitions distributed across multiple slots, where each repetition carries a portion of the control information. This segmentation allows the control signal to be transmitted multiple times at higher frequencies, improving coverage and reliability while maintaining the high data transmission rates enabled by higher carrier frequencies above 52.6 GHz.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by transmitting PDCCH repetitions in advance across multiple slots before the actual data transmission. This allows the UE to receive and process control information multiple times before the data channel, improving coverage and scheduling flexibility at higher carrier frequencies where signal attenuation is more severe.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If higher subcarrier spacing is used, then spectral efficiency is improved, but blind decoding efficiency and channel estimation accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectral efficiencyVSAvoidchannel estimation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the PDCCH transmission into multiple repetitions across different slots, allowing the UE to perform channel estimation using multiple signal instances. This segmentation compensates for the reduced channel estimation accuracy caused by higher subcarrier spacing, while maintaining the spectral efficiency benefits of the higher spacing through continued data transmission capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the UE receives multiple PDCCH repetitions and can use this feedback information to improve channel estimation accuracy. The repeated transmission allows the UE to accumulate signal samples and refine its channel estimates, counteracting the reduced estimation accuracy inherent in higher subcarrier spacing configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If PDCCH repetition is implemented, then coverage and reliability are improved, but time consumption and processing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveDCI reception reliabilityVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the PDCCH into multiple repetitions distributed across multiple slots, where each repetition is a compact portion of the total control information. This segmentation improves reliability through redundancy while minimizing time consumption by distributing the repetitions efficiently across slots rather than using a single extended transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by implementing a limited number of PDCCH repetitions (e.g., 2-4 repetitions) rather than exhaustive repetition. This provides sufficient reliability improvement for DCI reception at higher frequencies while avoiding excessive time consumption that would result from numerous repetitions, achieving an optimal balance between reliability and time efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Reliability

If compact DCI formats are used, then payload size is reduced and coverage is improved, but scheduling flexibility and information capacity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovePDCCH coverageVSAvoidscheduling flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the DCI information into multiple compact repetitions, where each repetition contains a portion of the scheduling information. This segmentation enables compact DCI formats that improve coverage by reducing payload size and enhancing reliability, while the collective set of repetitions maintains the scheduling flexibility and information capacity needed for versatile resource allocation at higher carrier frequencies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20230371039A1Downlink control channel for NR from 52.6 ghz and above

Publication Date: 2023.11.16 IPLA HLDG INC

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices may assist in operation of DL control channel for NR from 52.6 GHz and above. There may be single DCI scheduling for multi-scheduling, such as single DCI schedule multi-PDSCH or single DCI schedule multi-CC.