LTE-A Control Channel Monitoring Across Carrier Groups
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Solution Overview
Problem
In LTE-A wireless communication systems, there is a need to optimize the number of blind decoding times for UEs to effectively manage control channels across multiple component carriers, especially with the introduction of new downlink control information formats and carrier aggregation technology, to reduce unnecessary costs and improve resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
The method involves setting the number of maximum blind decoding times in both common and UE-specific search spaces based on the number of carrier groups and the maximum bandwidth or number of component carriers a UE can handle, with specific allocations for each component carrier, ensuring efficient monitoring of control channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of blind decoding times is increased to support more component carriers and new DCI formats, then the control channel monitoring capability is improved, but the UE complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the blind decoding process by defining separate search spaces (common search space and UE-specific search space) with different maximum blind decoding limits. This segmentation allows the UE to handle different types of control information efficiently without uniformly increasing complexity across all monitoring scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces configurable parameters including the number of component carriers, bandwidth size, and DCI format types to dynamically adjust the maximum blind decoding times. These parameter changes enable adaptive control of monitoring capability based on actual system conditions and UE capabilities.
2Productivity
If the number of blind decoding times is increased to support carrier aggregation and new DCI formats, then the resource utilization is improved, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of maximum blind decoding times based on the number of component carriers, bandwidth configuration, and DCI format requirements. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize resource utilization for carrier aggregation while avoiding unnecessary increases in UE complexity for scenarios that don't require enhanced monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different maximum blind decoding limits to different search spaces and component carriers based on their specific requirements. This local quality approach ensures that enhanced monitoring capability is applied only where necessary, reducing overall production costs while maintaining adequate resource utilization.
3Reliability
If the maximum blind decoding times is set high to support all component carriers, then the control channel detection reliability is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary determination of the maximum blind decoding times based on configured parameters (number of component carriers, bandwidth, DCI formats) before actual monitoring begins. This preliminary action allows the UE to optimize its power consumption by pre-calculating the necessary monitoring effort required for reliable control channel detection under current system conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic re-evaluation of blind decoding requirements as system conditions change (e.g., when component carriers are activated or deactivated). This periodic adjustment allows the UE to maintain reliable detection by adapting to current operational needs rather than continuously operating at maximum monitoring capability, thereby reducing power consumption.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides a method for monitoring a control channel in a wireless access system, including setting the number of maximum blind decoding times for each user equipment (UE)-specific search space and a common search space to which the control channel is transmitted; monitoring a plurality of candidate control channels in each of the search spaces, based on the number of maximum blind decoding times, set in the respective search spaces; and receiving downlink control information through a control channel which has succeeded in the blinding decoding among the plurality of candidate control channels, wherein the common search space is allocated to at least one carrier group that includes at least one component carrier.