Data Channel Configuration Fallback for Missing Control Information

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems face inefficiencies due to the higher probability of transmission errors in secondary control information, leading to incomplete data transmission configurations and lack of feedback mechanisms, which hinder data transmission efficiency and user experience.

Innovation Solution

A method where terminals and base stations use first control information to determine data channel configurations, replacing missing secondary control information with preset information, and employ feedback strategies based on reception results to ensure continuous and efficient data transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If two levels of control channels are used for sending control information, then the transmission configuration can be more flexible and comprehensive, but the data transmission efficiency deteriorates due to higher probability of transmission errors in the second control channel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission configuration flexibilityVSAvoiddata transmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-configures default transmission parameters for the data channel before actual data transmission. When the second control channel fails to deliver updated configuration information, the terminal can immediately fall back to these pre-configured parameters without waiting for retransmission or additional signaling, thus maintaining data transmission efficiency while preserving the flexibility of two-level control channel design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the terminal reports whether it has successfully received and decoded the second control information. Based on this feedback, the base station can determine whether to retransmit the control information or proceed with data transmission using alternative configurations, thereby resolving the contradiction between configuration flexibility and transmission efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of information

If the second control channel is used to carry additional control information, then the transmission configuration can be more detailed, but the reliability of control information reception deteriorates due to higher BLER

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol information completenessVSAvoidcontrol information reception reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent prepares backup control information configurations in advance and stores them at both the base station and terminal. When the second control channel transmission fails, these pre-prepared backup configurations can be immediately activated without causing information loss or transmission interruption, thus cushioning against the unreliability of the second control channel while maintaining control information completeness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates redundant copies of essential control information and transmits them through multiple paths - both through the second control channel and through pre-configuration storage. This copying strategy ensures that even if the second control channel fails, the terminal still has access to complete control information from the backup copies, thereby maintaining information completeness despite lower reliability of the second channel

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If one piece of first control information and multiple pieces of second control information are sent, then the receiving end can determine multiple transmission configurations, but the sending end cannot know the receiving situation at the receiving end

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission configuration optionsVSAvoidreceiving situation awareness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the terminal reports which specific second control information pieces were successfully received and which configurations were determined. This feedback allows the base station to know the receiving situation accurately, enabling it to understand which transmission configurations the terminal can use, thus resolving the information asymmetry while maintaining multiple configuration options

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent pre-establishes a mapping relationship between different combinations of received control information and the corresponding determined configurations. The terminal uses this pre-established mapping to quickly determine which configurations are valid based on received control information, and reports this determination back to the base station, enabling the base station to know the receiving situation without complex real-time analysis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3780718B1Communication method and device, terminal, base station and storage medium
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 ZTE CORP
  • EP3780718B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3780718B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3780718B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

For the problem, in the related art, that a data transmission cannot be normally performed between two communication ends, if the two levels of control information cannot be correctly received, a transmission method is included in the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure. In the transmission method, a terminal receives, through a first control channel, first control information sent by a base station; and in a case of not obtaining second control information from the base station, the terminal determines a transmission configuration parameter of a data channel according to the first control information and preset control information, and performs a data transmission with the base station according to the transmission configuration parameter of the data channel. According to this method, even if the terminal does not obtain the second control information from the base station side, the terminal can still replace the second control information with the preset control information, and determine the data channel according to the preset control information and the control information to continue the data transmission, improving the data transmission efficiency and ensuring user experience on the terminal side.