Downlink Control Information Format Processing for UE Differentiation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In coverage enhancement scenarios, existing technologies face challenges in differentiating between downlink control information carrying grant information and control channel command information due to limited spare bits, leading to increased probability of false determination by user equipment.

Innovation Solution

A control information format processing method that determines whether downlink control information corresponds to a valid or invalid setting based on specific field configurations, allowing user equipment to differentiate between grant information and control channel command information without increasing payload size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the payload size of control channel is kept the same to avoid increasing blind detections, then control channel efficiency is improved, but the ability to differentiate between grant information and control channel command information deteriorates in coverage enhancement scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol channel efficiencyVSAvoidinformation differentiation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of bit state configuration by introducing a first bit state for grant information and a second bit state for control channel command information. This allows differentiation between information types without changing the payload size, resolving the contradiction between maintaining control channel efficiency and achieving reliable information differentiation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the control information into distinct fields: a first field indicating control channel command information and a second field indicating grant information. This segmentation enables clear differentiation between information types while maintaining the same overall payload size, thus preserving control channel efficiency without sacrificing differentiation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If spare bits are used to differentiate information types, then information differentiation is improved, but the probability of false determination increases when spare bits are limited in coverage enhancement scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation differentiation capabilityVSAvoiddetermination accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the control information into a first field and a second field, where each field has a specific bit state configuration. This segmentation provides clear, unambiguous differentiation between grant information and control channel command information, eliminating the uncertainty that leads to false determinations when using limited spare bits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent defines specific bit state parameters for each information type: a first bit state for grant information and a second bit state for control channel command information. This parameter specification ensures accurate and reliable differentiation without relying on ambiguous spare bits, thereby preventing false determinations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple control information formats are supported, then adaptability to different scenarios is improved, but the complexity of processing control information increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescenario adaptabilityVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control information processing into two distinct paths: one for grant information (first field with first bit state) and one for control channel command information (second field with second bit state). This segmentation simplifies processing by providing clear decision logic based on field bit states, reducing complexity while maintaining support for multiple information formats.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a universal processing mechanism where the same control channel structure and processing logic can handle both grant information and control channel command information by simply checking the bit states of the first and second fields. This multi-functionality achieves scenario adaptability without proportionally increasing processing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3975646A1Control information format processing method, base station and user equipment

Publication Date: 2022.03.30 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD

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AI summary

A control information format processing method, a base station, and user equipment are provided. The method includes: determining a control information format of downlink control information; when the control information format of the downlink control information is a first control information format, determining that a first field included in the downlink control information corresponding to the first control information format indicates a valid setting; or when the control information format of the downlink control information is a second control information format, determining that a second field included in the downlink control information corresponding to the second control information format indicates an invalid setting; and sending the downlink control information corresponding to the determined control information format to user equipment UE.