Control Channel Search Space Mapping Across Non-Consecutive Slots

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently mapping control channels within search spaces, leading to increased computational complexity and memory requirements due to iterative calculations based on absolute time, which can be improved by using a mapping variable based on monitored slots within a frame.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves identifying control channel candidates within search spaces by using a mapping variable based on monitored slots, rather than absolute time, reducing computational complexity and memory requirements through iterative calculations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If iterative calculations are performed across non-consecutive slots to identify control channel elements, then the UE can accurately monitor control channels, but the computational complexity and memory requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol channel element identification accuracyVSAvoidcomputational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing control channel element indices for multiple slots in advance, rather than performing iterative calculations in real-time. The UE receives RRC configuration messages that contain pre-computed CCE index information for future slots, allowing the UE to avoid complex iterative calculations when monitoring control channels in non-consecutive slots.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the control channel monitoring process by dividing it into separately configured search space sets, each with its own CCE index calculations. This allows the UE to handle different slot configurations independently, reducing the overall computational burden compared to performing unified iterative calculations across all slots.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If iterative calculations are performed across non-consecutive slots to identify control channel elements, then the UE can accurately monitor control channels, but the memory requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol channel element identification accuracyVSAvoidmemory requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing control channel element indices for multiple slots in advance, rather than performing iterative calculations in real-time. The UE receives RRC configuration messages that contain pre-computed CCE index information for future slots, allowing the UE to avoid complex iterative calculations when monitoring control channels in non-consecutive slots.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If the UE monitors control channels in multiple non-consecutive slots, then the system achieves better resource utilization, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing control channel element indices for multiple slots in advance, rather than performing iterative calculations in real-time. The UE receives RRC configuration messages that contain pre-computed CCE index information for future slots, allowing the UE to avoid complex iterative calculations when monitoring control channels in non-consecutive slots.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4152672B1Control channel mapping within search space for wireless systems
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4152672B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4152672B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4152672B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A user equipment (UE) may receive a downlink message that includes a control channel monitoring periodicity and control channel offset for a radio frame. A user equipment (UE) may identify a set of slots within a radio frame to monitor for downlink control information (DCI) based on the received downlink message. The UE may identify a control channel candidate within a search space of each slot of the set of slots, and may identify the control channel candidate of a first slot based on calculations that include a current slot and a previous slot. There may be one or more slots that occur between the previous slot and the current slot. The UE may receive DCI that is user-specific based on the identified control channel candidate.