Coverage-Aware DCI Formats for Low-Power MTC Resource Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication methods face challenges in designing downlink control information (DCI) for UEs requiring coverage enhancement, particularly in Machine-Type Communication (MTC), as the DCI size significantly impacts UE power consumption and active time, necessitating efficient resource allocation in both time and frequency domains.

Innovation Solution

The method involves designing DCI based on coverage enhancement levels, using different payload sizes and resource assignment fields that utilize a single index to jointly indicate resource allocation in both time and frequency domains, optimizing DCI size and reducing UE active time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If DCI size is increased to provide detailed resource assignment information, then resource allocation precision is improved, but UE power consumption increases and active time is extended

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource allocation precisionVSAvoidUE power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The DCI is segmented into different formats (DCI format 0, 1, 2, etc.) with different payload sizes and field compositions. Each format is optimized for specific resource allocation scenarios, allowing the system to select the most appropriate format rather than always using the most detailed one, thus reducing unnecessary power consumption while maintaining allocation precision when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes DCI parameters dynamically by selecting different DCI formats based on coverage enhancement levels and resource allocation requirements. For example, DCI format 0 uses 6 bits for resource indication while format 1 uses 5 bits, and format 2 uses only 2 bits for MCS. This parameter adaptation allows the system to balance between allocation precision and power consumption based on actual needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If DCI repetition is increased to enhance coverage, then coverage enhancement is improved, but UE active time is extended and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage enhancementVSAvoidUE active time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the number of DCI repetitions based on the UE's coverage enhancement level. UEs with higher coverage requirements (e.g., CE level 2) receive more repetitions than those with lower requirements (e.g., CE level 0 or 1). This dynamic adaptation ensures that each UE receives only the necessary number of repetitions to achieve reliable decoding, minimizing active time and power consumption while maintaining coverage enhancement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of applying the same high level of repetition to all UEs, the system applies partial action by tailoring the repetition count to each UE's specific coverage needs. This prevents excessive repetitions for UEs that don't require them, thereby reducing their active time and power consumption while still providing sufficient coverage enhancement for UEs that need it.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Use of energy by moving object

If DCI size is reduced to lower power consumption, then UE power efficiency is improved, but resource assignment flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveUE power efficiencyVSAvoidresource assignment flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements multiple DCI formats that serve different functions and can be universally applied across various resource allocation scenarios. For example, DCI format 0 handles uplink resource allocation with 6 bits, format 1 handles downlink with 5 bits, and format 2 handles MCS with 2 bits. This multi-functional DCI structure allows the system to maintain resource assignment flexibility by selecting the appropriate format for each scenario while keeping each individual format compact for power efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-defining multiple DCI formats with different field configurations before actual resource allocation occurs. This allows the network to select the most appropriate format in advance based on the required resource assignment flexibility, rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach that would require larger size to accommodate all possibilities. The pre-configured formats enable flexible resource assignment when needed while maintaining smaller sizes for routine allocations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12457622B2Wireless communication method, eNode B, and user equipment

Publication Date: 2025.10.28 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORP OF AMERICA

AI summary

Provided are wireless communication methods, an eNB and a UE. The wireless communication method performed by an eNB includes transmitting downlink control information (DCI) to a user equipment (UE), wherein the DCI is designed based on a coverage enhancement level for the UE.