Downlink Control Information Transmission Resource Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

In 5G NR wireless communication systems, the loss of downlink control information leads to inconsistencies between the sender and receiver, causing performance degradation due to incorrect beam switching, uplink power control, and other signaling errors affecting multiple timeslots.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for transmitting and detecting downlink control information, where the base station configures available transmission resources with subset relations between time domain resources of different types of long-term control information to avoid conflicts and ensure consistent signaling, using specific formats for short-term and long-term control information transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If downlink control information is transmitted using conventional methods, then transmission simplicity is maintained, but information loss occurs leading to inconsistencies and performance degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol information transmission reliabilityVSAvoidtransmission resource configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments downlink control information into multiple types (first type and second type control information) with different transmission characteristics. First type control information is transmitted in all configured timeslots, while second type control information is transmitted only in active timeslots. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliability for critical information while reducing overall transmission complexity and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating transmission strategies for different types of control information based on their specific requirements. Critical control information receives enhanced transmission guarantees (all timeslots), while less critical information uses more efficient transmission (active timeslots only). This localized differentiation optimizes reliability where needed without unnecessarily increasing system-wide complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple types of long-term control information are transmitted, then comprehensive signaling coverage is achieved, but time domain resource conflicts occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol information signaling coverageVSAvoidtime domain resource conflict
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the transmission of multiple control information types by time domain resources. First type control information is transmitted in all configured timeslots, while second type control information is transmitted only in active timeslots. This temporal segmentation eliminates resource conflicts between different control information types while maintaining comprehensive signaling coverage for both information types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base station determines active timeslots in advance based on downlink reference signals and uses this preliminary information to configure transmission resources. By pre-identifying which timeslots are active and which are not, the system can proactively allocate resources to avoid conflicts before they occur, ensuring both comprehensive coverage and resource efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Duration of action of stationary object

If control information affecting multiple timeslots is transmitted, then long-term transmission influence is achieved, but inconsistencies occur when information is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelong-term transmission influenceVSAvoidinformation consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the base station determines active timeslots based on downlink reference signals and uses this feedback to dynamically configure transmission resources. This feedback loop ensures that control information is transmitted only when necessary and in the correct timeslots, maintaining consistency even when information loss occurs in specific transmissions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The base station performs preliminary determination of active timeslots based on downlink reference signals before transmitting control information. This preliminary action ensures that both base station and terminal have consistent understanding of which timeslots are active, preventing inconsistencies in long-term transmission influence even when individual transmissions are lost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3691389B1Method and device for sending downlink control information, and method and device for detecting downlink control information
Publication Date: 2023.08.16 ZTE CORP
  • EP3691389B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3691389B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP3691389B1 patent drawingFigure 7

AI summary

Disclosed are a method and apparatus for transmitting downlink control information, and a method and apparatus for detecting downlink control information. The method includes: a base station configures available transmission resources of multiple types of long-term downlink control information, where in the multiple types of downlink control information, a subset relation exists between time domain resources of available transmission resources of at least two types of long-term downlink control information; the base station transmits the multiple types of long-term downlink control information on the available transmission resources.