Two-Level Dedicated Channel Scheduling for PDCCH Flexibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) and Enhanced Physical Downlink Control Channel (EPDCCH) systems face limitations in interference coordination and channel capacity, affecting scheduling timeliness and flexibility due to complex design constraints.

Innovation Solution

A method involving two levels of dedicated channels with distinct time-frequency resources, where a network device allocates and manages level-one and level-two dedicated channels to improve scheduling information transmission flexibility, allowing for independent resource allocation based on service delay requirements and using common channels for system messages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If PDCCH and EPDCCH coexist with time division multiplexing, then channel capacity is improved, but scheduling flexibility and timeliness are reduced due to complex design constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel capacityVSAvoidscheduling flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control channel into two levels: level-one dedicated channel for transmitting indication information and level-two dedicated channel for transmitting scheduling information. This segmentation allows independent resource allocation for different types of control information, resolving the contradiction between channel capacity and scheduling flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to the control channel structure, transitioning from a flat single-level structure to a two-level hierarchical structure. This dimensional change enables more flexible resource allocation and improves scheduling timeliness while maintaining channel capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If EPDCCH start symbol is limited by PDCCH, then interference coordination is improved, but transmission scheduling timeliness is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference coordinationVSAvoidscheduling timeliness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the control channel into level-one and level-two dedicated channels with independent time-frequency resources, the patent eliminates the constraint where EPDCCH start symbol is limited by PDCCH. Each level can be allocated independently, enabling timely scheduling while maintaining interference coordination through proper resource management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If complex design constraints are applied to PDCCH and EPDCCH coexistence, then interference coordination is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference coordinationVSAvoiddesign complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent simplifies the design by segmenting the control channel into two distinct levels with clear functional division. Level-one dedicated channel handles indication information while level-two dedicated channel handles scheduling information, reducing the complexity of coordinating between PDCCH and EPDCCH while maintaining interference coordination capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3911068B1Scheduling information transmission method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.04.10 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3911068B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3911068B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3911068B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention provides a scheduling information transmission method and apparatus. The method includes: allocating, by a network device, a level-one dedicated channel and a level-two dedicated channel to a target terminal device; sending, by the network device, indication information of the level-one dedicated channel by using a preset first time-frequency resource; sending, by the network device, indication information of the level-two dedicated channel to the target terminal device by using the level-one dedicated channel; and sending, by the network device, dedicated scheduling information for the target terminal device to the target terminal device by using the level-two dedicated channel. Therefore, scheduling information transmission flexibility can be improved, and system performance and user experience can be improved.