Distributed PDCCH Transmission Structure for 5G Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current 5G wireless communication systems face challenges in achieving reliable PDCCH reception and reducing signaling overhead, particularly in ensuring frequency diversity and accurate channel estimation, while also supporting diverse use cases with varying requirements.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a distributed PDCCH transmission structure that varies based on CCE aggregation levels, incorporating frequency diversity and enhanced channel estimation, along with the reuse of DMRS for demodulation of both PDCCH and PDSCH transmissions, and the use of nested CCE index structures to minimize channel estimation requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If distributed PDCCH transmission structure is implemented, then PDCCH reception reliability is improved through frequency diversity, but device complexity increases due to multiple aggregation levels and nested CCE index structures

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePDCCH reception reliabilityVSAvoidtransmission structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The PDCCH transmission is segmented into multiple CCEs (Control Channel Elements) that are distributed across different frequency resources. Each CCE is further divided into REGs (Resource Element Groups), creating a hierarchical structure that enables frequency diversity while maintaining manageable complexity through systematic organization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs nested indexing structures where CCE indices are mapped to REG bundles, which are in turn mapped to physical resource elements. This nested doll approach allows the system to manage complex multi-level mappings through standardized index transformation rules, reducing the perceived complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Quantity of substance

If DMRS is reused for demodulation of both PDCCH and PDSCH, then signaling overhead is reduced, but measurement precision may be compromised due to shared reference signals

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignaling overheadVSAvoidchannel estimation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The DMRS (Demodulation Reference Signal) is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously - it is used for channel estimation of both PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel) and PDSCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel). This multi-functional approach reduces signaling overhead by eliminating redundant reference signals while the patent maintains accuracy through careful resource allocation and interference management.

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

3Quantity of substance

If nested CCE index structures are used, then channel estimation requirements are minimized, but ease of operation decreases due to complex index mapping procedures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel estimation requirementsVSAvoidindex mapping complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the complex multi-dimensional mapping problem into a series of parameter transformations. By defining systematic index mapping rules that convert CCE indices through intermediate REG bundle indices to final resource element positions, the system reduces channel estimation requirements while maintaining operational simplicity through standardized mathematical transformations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3566381B1Transmission structures and formats for DL control channels
Publication Date: 2022.06.08 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3566381B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3566381B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3566381B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for a user equipment (UE) to receive physical downlink control channels (PDCCHs) is provided. The UE receives configuration information for a first control resource set that includes a number of symbols in a time domain and a number of resource blocks (RBs) in a frequency domain, configuration information indicating a first number of Nbundle,1 frequency-contiguous RBs, and a PDCCH in the first control resource set in a number of frequency distributed blocks of Nbundle,1 RBs. The UE assumes that a demodulation reference signal associated with the reception of the PDCCH has a same precoding over the Nbundle,1 RBs. A method for constructing a search space to reduce a number of channel estimations that the UE performs for decoding PDCCHs, relative to conventional search spaces, is also provided.