DCI Size Alignment for URLLC Monitoring Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing DCI size alignment procedures in 3GPP Rel-15 are limited in handling new DCI formats with different sizes and increased total number of DCI sizes for wireless devices to monitor, which can lead to higher complexity and reliability issues in ultra-reliable low latency communications (URLLC).
Innovation Solution
A network node performs a DCI size alignment procedure based on a limit of total DCI sizes that a wireless device can monitor, which includes adjusting DCI sizes by padding with zero bits, aligning sizes of new DCI formats, and excluding certain DCI formats to ensure compliance with the size limit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If new DCI formats with different sizes are introduced to support URLLC requirements, then data scheduling flexibility is improved, but the total number of DCI sizes that wireless devices must monitor increases, leading to higher complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the size of DCI formats through zero-padding. When a new DCI format is introduced for URLLC, its size is modified by adding zero bits to match existing DCI size categories, allowing the system to maintain flexibility in scheduling while keeping the number of distinct DCI sizes that devices must monitor within acceptable limits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by creating a unified DCI size alignment mechanism that handles multiple DCI formats (both existing and new URLLC formats) through a common procedure. This single alignment approach serves multiple functions: it manages size variations across different DCI formats, ensures compliance with device monitoring capabilities, and maintains backward compatibility while supporting new formats
2Device complexity
If the total number of DCI sizes is limited to meet device constraints, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to support diverse DCI formats for URLLC is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing DCI size alignment before actual DCI transmission and processing. The alignment procedure is executed in advance to ensure that when new DCI formats are introduced, their sizes are pre-adjusted through zero-padding to fit within the limited set of monitorable sizes, preventing complexity issues from arising during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the size parameter of DCI formats dynamically. When a new DCI format needs to be supported, its size parameter is changed by adding zero bits until it matches one of the allowed size categories, thereby enabling support for diverse formats while maintaining compliance with device monitoring constraints
3Reliability
If DCI size alignment procedure is applied to all DCI formats, then reliability is improved by ensuring consistent sizing, but processing overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selectively applying the DCI size alignment procedure only where necessary. Instead of uniformly processing all DCI formats through the complete alignment procedure, the system applies zero-padding only to specific DCI formats that require size adjustment, leaving already-compliant formats unchanged, thereby reducing unnecessary processing overhead while maintaining reliability
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus are disclosed for handling DCI size alignment. In one embodiment, a network node is configured to perform a downlink control information, DCI, size alignment procedure based at least in part on a limit of a total number of different DCI sizes that a wireless device, WD, is configured to monitor. The network node is further configured to transmit a DCI message, the DCI message generated according to the DCI alignment procedure. In one embodiment, a WD is configured to monitor a cell for a downlink control information, DCI, message. The WD is further configured to receive and/or decode the DCI message, the DCI message being generated according to a DCI alignment procedure in which a size of the DCI is based at least in part on a limit of a total number of different DCI sizes that the WD is configured to monitor.