Cross-Carrier DCI Scheduling for Multi-Cell Resource Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems, particularly 5G NR, face challenges in efficiently managing spectrum resources and improving spectral efficiency in dynamic spectrum sharing scenarios, especially in configurations involving LTE and NR carriers.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus are provided to enhance the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) with a cross carrier schedule, allowing a single DCI to schedule uplink or downlink transmissions on multiple cells, including a configuration for joint scheduling across carriers, thereby optimizing resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate DCIs are used to schedule transmissions on multiple carriers, then each carrier can be scheduled independently with full flexibility, but the DCI overhead and signaling complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate DCIs into a single unified DCI structure that schedules transmissions across multiple carriers simultaneously. This is achieved by merging the scheduling information for multiple component carriers (CCs) into one DCI message, reducing the total number of DCIs transmitted and thereby reducing overhead while maintaining the ability to independently schedule each carrier through appropriate field configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified DCI structure is designed to serve multiple carriers universally through a single message. The DCI includes configurable fields that can represent resource allocations for multiple component carriers, allowing one DCI to perform the function of multiple separate DCIs. This multi-functionality enables the system to reduce signaling overhead while preserving scheduling flexibility across different carrier configurations.
2Loss of information
If a single DCI schedules transmissions on multiple carriers, then DCI overhead is reduced and spectral efficiency improves, but the DCI size and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The unified DCI structure is segmented into distinct fields that correspond to different component carriers and scheduling parameters. Each field can be independently configured and processed, allowing the UE to parse and handle scheduling information for multiple carriers in a structured manner. This segmentation reduces processing complexity compared to handling a single large monolithic DCI, while still achieving overhead reduction through consolidation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs configurable parameters and fields within the unified DCI that can be adjusted based on the specific carrier aggregation configuration. By dynamically changing which fields are present and their interpretations based on RRC-configured parameters, the system can optimize the DCI structure for different scenarios, reducing processing complexity while maintaining the ability to schedule multiple carriers efficiently.
3Adaptability or versatility
If cross-carrier scheduling is implemented, then resource allocation flexibility across carriers is improved, but the signaling complexity and interpretation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces RRC configuration as an intermediary layer that pre-defines the mapping relationships and parameters for cross-carrier scheduling. The RRC configuration establishes the rules and structures that the unified DCI will follow, acting as a mediator between the flexible scheduling requirements and the need for straightforward DCI interpretation. This pre-configuration simplifies the DCI structure by establishing clear, predetermined field interpretations based on the configured carrier aggregation scenario.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary configuration through RRC signaling before the actual scheduling takes place. The RRC configuration pre-establishes the DCI structure, field meanings, and carrier mappings that will be used in subsequent scheduling operations. This preliminary action reduces the complexity of real-time DCI interpretation by having the interpretation rules predetermined and configured in advance, allowing the UE to efficiently parse scheduling DCIs without complex real-time analysis.
Data Source
AI summary
A configuration to enable a base station to schedule cross carrier scheduling of uplink and/or downlink transmissions using a DCI. The apparatus transmits, to a UE, a PDCCH including a cross carrier schedule. The PDCCH comprises DCI configured to schedule an uplink transmission or a downlink transmission. The DCI includes at least one FDRA field indicating RBs for the uplink transmission or the downlink transmission on at least one serving cell of the cross carrier schedule. The apparatus communicates with the UE based on the cross carrier schedule configured by the DCI.