Cross-Carrier PDCCH Search Space Sharing for Flexible DCI Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems lack flexibility and efficiency in DCI format usage for search space sharing, leading to increased PDCCH blocking probability and UE power consumption.
Innovation Solution
Implementing cross-carrier scheduling with carrier indicator field (CIF) values for configuring PDCCH candidates, allowing UEs to support search space sharing across multiple carriers with identical DCI formats, thereby optimizing PDCCH monitoring and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If DCI format with one usage is used for UL search space sharing, then system simplicity is maintained, but search space sharing flexibility and efficiency are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables a single search space to serve multiple DCI formats with different usages (e.g., first usage for downlink scheduling, second usage for uplink scheduling). This multi-functional approach allows the search space to be shared across different carriers and service types, significantly improving flexibility and efficiency without requiring separate dedicated search spaces for each DCI format.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic configuration mechanisms where the base station can flexibly assign different DCI formats to the same search space based on scheduling needs. The UE dynamically determines which DCI format to interpret based on indicators in the control information, enabling adaptive and versatile search space utilization across varying operational conditions.
2Reliability
If multiple DCI formats with different usages are supported in search space sharing, then search space blocking probability is reduced, but UE power consumption for searching PDCCH candidates increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs preliminary configuration where the base station pre-configures multiple DCI formats with different usages in the search space before actual scheduling occurs. This allows the UE to have pre-established knowledge of available formats, enabling more efficient decoding processes and reducing the energy required to search and interpret PDCCH candidates during active communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in DCI format indicators and search space configurations to optimize the balance between reliability and power consumption. By dynamically adjusting which DCI formats are activated in which search spaces based on current scheduling needs, the system reduces blocking probability while minimizing unnecessary UE processing and power consumption.
3Productivity
If search space sharing is implemented across multiple carriers, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but system configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal search space configuration that can accommodate multiple carriers and service types through a single unified structure. The base station configures search spaces that can be shared across different carriers, with the ability to dynamically assign different DCI formats based on the specific carrier and service requirements, thereby improving resource utilization efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary configuration structures and indicators that mediate between the base station's scheduling decisions and the UE's reception processes. These intermediaries simplify the cross-carrier scheduling configuration by providing standardized interfaces and protocols that manage the complexity of multi-carrier search space sharing in a systematic manner.
Data Source
AI summary
A method by a user equipment (UE) is described. The method includes receiving, from a base station, information to configure a scheduling cell and scheduled cell(s) for cross-carrier scheduling and to configure carrier indicator field (CIF) value for respective cell, monitoring a first set of PDCCH candidates with a CCE aggregation level (AL) in a first set of CCEs in a CORESET for a first DCI format associated with a first serving cell wherein the first set of CCEs is given at least based on the CIF value of the first serving cell and the first DCI format having a first size is used for an uplink grant Type 2 PUSCH release, monitoring a second set of PDCCH candidates with the CCE AL in a second set of CCEs in the CORESET for a second DCI format associated with a second serving cell wherein the second set of CCEs is given at least based on the CIF value of the second serving cell and the second DCI format has a second size, receiving a PDCCH through a PDCCH candidate for the second DCI format in the first set of CCEs in a case that the first size and the second size are same.