Wireless Control Channel Scheduling for Reduced Terminal Processing Burden

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, particularly in LTE and 5G networks, the simultaneous transmission of Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) and Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) poses challenges due to the need for terminal devices to pre-cache symbols, leading to increased processing burden and battery consumption, especially with large bandwidths.

Innovation Solution

The method involves transmitting a first control channel in a first period of time, followed by a second control channel in a frequency division multiplexing manner with the data channel in part of a second period of time, where the data channel scheduled by the second control channel does not include the first data channel, allowing for flexible scheduling and reducing the need for terminal devices to cache excessive data symbols.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If PDCCH and PDSCH occupy different frequency domain resources in first few symbols of a time slot, then channel transmission flexibility is improved, but terminal device processing burden increases due to pre-caching requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel transmission flexibilityVSAvoidterminal device processing burden
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the time slot into different periods: a first period for PDCCH transmission and a second period for PDSCH transmission. This temporal segmentation allows the terminal to process control information first, then data information, eliminating the need to pre-cache entire data symbols while maintaining scheduling flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the terminal decode PDCCH in the first period before receiving PDSCH in the second period. This ensures the terminal is ready to process data channels without requiring excessive pre-caching, as the scheduling information is prepared in advance during the control channel period.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If PDSCH starts transmission only after PDCCH is finished, then terminal device processing is simplified, but time efficiency deteriorates due to sequential transmission

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal device processing simplicityVSAvoidtime efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the time efficiency issue by utilizing frequency domain resources during the first period when PDCCH is transmitted. The network can simultaneously transmit PDSCH in frequency division multiplexing manner during the first period, effectively adding a frequency dimension to the transmission schedule and reducing idle time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If large bandwidth is used in 5G system, then data transmission capacity is improved, but terminal device battery power consumption increases due to buffering requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission capacityVSAvoidterminal device battery power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the transmission process into distinct temporal phases (first period for control, second period for data), allowing the terminal to process information in smaller, manageable chunks rather than buffering large amounts of data simultaneously, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining high data transmission capacity through efficient scheduling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3544348B1Wireless communication method, network device and terminal device
Publication Date: 2022.06.08 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP3544348B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3544348B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3544348B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Embodiments of the present application provide a wireless communication method, a network device and a terminal device, which may reduce the requirement on capability of the terminal device for receiving signals, reduce the processing burden of the terminal device, and reduce the battery consumption of the terminal device. The method comprises: transmitting a first control channel in a first period of time, wherein the first control channel carries scheduling information of a first data channel; receiving or transmitting the first data channel in a second period of time according to the scheduling information of the first data channel; transmitting a second control channel in a frequency division multiplexing manner with the first data channel at part time of the second period of time, wherein a data channel scheduled by the second control channel does not include the first data channel, and a starting position of the part time is not earlier than an ending position of the first period of time.