DCI Codepoint Mapping for Multicast Unicast Configurations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing downlink control information (DCI) for multicast and unicast transmissions, particularly in determining the appropriate transmission configuration for user equipment (UE) to receive shared data channel transmissions.

Innovation Solution

The system provides a method where user equipment (UE) receives a codepoint mapping configuration that maps DCI codepoint values to multicast and unicast configurations. A control message then signals the UE to apply either a multicast or unicast configuration based on the codepoint mapping, allowing the UE to identify the appropriate configuration for receiving shared data channel transmissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a unified DCI format is used for both multicast and unicast transmissions, then device complexity is reduced, but transmission efficiency and resource allocation accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveDCI processing complexityVSAvoidtransmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the DCI processing by creating separate codepoint mapping configurations for multicast and unicast transmissions. The UE receives distinct mapping tables that differentiate between multicast DCI formats and unicast DCI formats, allowing each transmission type to be processed with its own optimized configuration rather than a single unified processing path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic switching between multicast and unicast configurations based on the DCI format type. The UE dynamically selects the appropriate codepoint mapping configuration based on whether the received DCI is identified as multicast or unicast, enabling adaptive processing that optimizes transmission efficiency while maintaining manageable device complexity through conditional logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If separate DCI formats are used for multicast and unicast transmissions, then transmission efficiency improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission efficiencyVSAvoidDCI processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal DCI processing framework where a single UE implementation can handle both multicast and unicast transmissions by receiving multiple codepoint mapping configurations. The same UE processing logic applies both multicast-specific and unicast-specific mappings based on DCI format identification, providing multi-functionality without requiring separate hardware processing paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by configuring different codepoint mapping tables for different transmission types. Each mapping configuration is optimized locally for its specific transmission type (multicast or unicast), with parameters and codepoint assignments tailored to the specific requirements of each transmission mode, thereby improving transmission efficiency without requiring completely separate processing systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If codepoint mapping configuration is provided for each UE, then transmission accuracy improves, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration accuracyVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the configuration approach by providing a single codepoint mapping configuration that serves multiple UEs simultaneously. The base station transmits one multicast codepoint mapping configuration that is applicable to all UEs receiving multicast transmissions, thereby reducing signaling overhead while maintaining configuration accuracy through the use of group-specific rather than UE-specific configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by allowing the codepoint mapping configurations to be updated dynamically based on transmission type and service requirements. The configuration parameters can be adjusted for different multicast services or unicast scenarios without requiring complete reconfiguration, enabling accurate configuration adaptation while minimizing signaling overhead through incremental parameter updates rather than full configuration transmissions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4278769B1Downlink control information indication for multicast and unicast transmissions
Publication Date: 2025.03.05 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4278769B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4278769B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4278769B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A user equipment (UE) may be configured with a mapping between downlink control information (DCI) codepoint values, multicast configurations, and unicast configurations. A DCI may then signal to the UE to apply one of a multicast configuration or a unicast configuration to receive a shared data channel transmission. For example, for a given DCI field of a group-common downlink control channel for multicast data, one or some DCI codepoint values may be associated with values configured for a multicast configuration, while remaining codepoints are associated with values configured for a unicast configuration. In some implementations, the UE may identify which multicast configuration or unicast configuration to apply based on the mapping, a type of data transmission scheduled by the DCI, specified values for the DCI codepoint values, whether the shared data channel transmission is a retransmission, or a combination thereof.