COT Occupancy Signaling for Adaptive PDCCH Blind Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional technologies fail to enable terminal devices to perform blind detection in a suitable manner when a channel is occupied within a Channel Occupancy Time (COT), leading to inefficient spectrum utilization and increased power consumption.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for sending COT indication information, where a network device sends specific signals within a COT to inform terminal devices about channel occupancy, allowing them to switch to appropriate blind detection methods, thereby improving spectrum utilization and reducing power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the terminal device uses high-density blind detection in all time periods of COT, then the reliability of detecting control information is improved, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol information detection reliabilityVSAvoidterminal device power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the blind detection density adjustable and adaptive rather than fixed. The terminal device dynamically switches between high-density and low-density blind detection modes based on real-time channel occupancy conditions, allowing the system to optimize between reliability and power consumption according to actual operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of blind detection density from a static configuration to a dynamic parameter that can be adjusted based on channel conditions. By receiving indication information about channel occupancy and adjusting detection density accordingly, the system transforms a fixed parameter into a variable one that adapts to different operational scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If the terminal device uses low-density blind detection in all time periods of COT, then the power consumption is reduced, but the reliability of detecting control information deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal device power consumptionVSAvoidcontrol information detection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts blind detection density based on channel conditions rather than using a fixed low-density mode. When the channel is determined to be unoccupied, the terminal switches to low-density detection to save power; when occupancy is detected, it transitions to high-density detection to ensure reliable control information reception.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The blind detection density parameter is changed from a static low-value setting to a dynamic parameter that can switch between low and high values based on channel occupancy indication information received from the network device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the terminal device cannot detect channel occupancy in time, then the adaptability to channel conditions is improved, but the spectrum utilization efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblind detection adaptation capabilityVSAvoidspectrum utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by having the network device send indication information about channel occupancy conditions to the terminal device. This feedback mechanism allows the terminal to及时调整 its blind detection strategy based on actual channel state, improving both adaptability and spectrum utilization efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The network device performs preliminary action by sending channel occupancy indication information to the terminal device in advance, allowing the terminal to proactively adjust its blind detection density before actually needing to detect control information, thus improving responsiveness and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3944710B1Method and apparatus for sending cot indication information
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3944710B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3944710B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3944710B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This application provides a COT indication information sending method and apparatus. When a channel is not occupied within a first COT, a network device sends indication information to a terminal device within the first COT, where the indication information is used to indicate that the channel is not occupied within the first COT. When the channel is occupied within the first COT, the network device obtains a second COT within the first COT, and sends start information of the second COT to the terminal device. Correspondingly, when receiving the indication information, the terminal device may perform blind PDCCH detection in a first manner. If the terminal device does not receive the indication information, it indicates that the channel is occupied within the first COT, and the terminal device performs blind detection on the start information of the second COT. Therefore, the terminal device can learn of a channel occupancy condition within a COT in time, to perform blind detection in a suitable blind detection manner, thereby improving utilization of spectrum resources and reducing power consumption of the terminal device.