DCI Scheduling for Multi-Cell Resource Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently providing various services, particularly in managing and scheduling multiple cells effectively, which is crucial for enhancing the performance of 5G and beyond systems.

Innovation Solution

A method and device for determining a scheduled cell in a communication system by using downlink control information (DCI) that includes a bandwidth part (BWP) indicator field and a frequency domain resource assignment (FDRA) field to identify and apply these fields to specific serving cells, allowing for seamless scheduling and resource allocation among a plurality of cells.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple cells are scheduled using separate DCI messages, then each cell can be independently controlled, but the control signaling overhead increases and scheduling efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIndependent cell controlVSAvoidControl signaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple cell scheduling operations into a single DCI message by merging the cell indication field with the resource allocation field. This allows the network to schedule multiple cells simultaneously using one DCI instead of separate DCI messages for each cell, thereby reducing control signaling overhead while maintaining independent control capability through the cell indication information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The DCI message is designed to serve multiple functions: it simultaneously indicates which cells are scheduled and provides resource allocation information for those cells. The cell indication field and resource allocation field work together in a unified scheduling mechanism, making the DCI message universal for both cell selection and resource assignment purposes.

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

2Productivity

If separate DCI messages are used for each cell scheduling, then resource allocation can be optimized per cell, but scheduling complexity and processing overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveResource allocation efficiencyVSAvoidScheduling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges cell indication and resource allocation into a single DCI processing operation. The terminal receives one DCI message that contains both the cell indication field identifying scheduled cells and the resource allocation field providing resource information, thereby reducing the number of processing operations required compared to handling multiple separate DCI messages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cell indication field is processed first to identify which cells are scheduled, and then the resource allocation field is applied to those identified cells. This preliminary identification step allows the terminal to efficiently process only the relevant resource allocation information for the scheduled cells, reducing overall processing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of information

If a unified DCI message schedules multiple cells, then control signaling overhead is reduced, but the complexity of interpreting the DCI fields increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveControl signaling overheadVSAvoidDCI field interpretation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The DCI message is segmented into distinct fields with clear functions: a cell indication field that identifies scheduled cells and a resource allocation field that provides resource information. This segmentation allows the terminal to process each field independently in a defined sequence, reducing interpretation complexity despite the unified scheduling of multiple cells.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cell indication field is interpreted first to determine which cells are scheduled, establishing a preliminary understanding that guides the subsequent interpretation of the resource allocation field. This sequential interpretation approach simplifies the overall decoding process by breaking down the unified DCI message into manageable steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4668983A1Method and device for determining scheduled cell in communication system
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4668983A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4668983A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4668983A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a 5G or 6G communication system for supporting higher data transmission rates. The present disclosure relates to the operation of a terminal and a base station in a wireless communication system. The present disclosure relates to a method and device for a terminal to transmit and receive data through a plurality of cells by using one piece of downlink control information. The method performed by the terminal in the communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises the steps of: receiving information related to a scheduled cell set through upper layer signaling; receiving downlink control information (DCI), wherein the DCI includes a bandwidth part (BWP) indicator field and a frequency domain resource assignment (FDRA) field; identifying, on the basis of the FDRA field, a serving cell to be applied to the BWP indicator field among a plurality of serving cells included in the scheduled cell set; and applying the BWP indicator field to the serving cell.