Downlink Control Channel CCE Aggregation for Flexible Decoding
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing demand for high-capacity wireless backhaul links in cellular communication networks, particularly in terahertz bands, poses challenges in managing resource allocation and decoding complexity for downlink control channels, leading to increased costs and hardware complexity.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for configuring downlink control channels by utilizing control channel element (CCE) aggregation level (AL) information to efficiently decode control information using one or multiple CCEs with the same AL, either consecutively or non-consecutively, and employing radio network temporary identifiers (RNTIs) for identification, thereby improving resource efficiency and scheduling flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If wireless backhaul links use extremely high-frequency bands (THz) to increase data capacity, then data transmission speed and capacity are improved, but hardware complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control channel is segmented into multiple control channel elements (CCEs) with different aggregation levels. By dividing the control channel into smaller units (CCEs) that can be independently configured and decoded, the system achieves high data capacity through flexible resource allocation while reducing the complexity of processing the entire control channel as a single unit.
2Reliability
If multiple CCEs with different aggregation levels are used to improve control information reliability, then decoding reliability is improved, but decoding complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic aggregation level indication where the aggregation level of CCEs is not fixed but can be dynamically indicated through DCI format 2_0. This allows the system to adapt the decoding complexity to current channel conditions and traffic requirements, improving reliability when needed while reducing complexity when conditions permit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary configuration by indicating the aggregation level of first CCEs through DCI format 2_0 before actual decoding occurs. This preliminary indication allows the receiving end to prepare appropriate decoding resources and strategies in advance, reducing the actual decoding complexity while ensuring reliable reception.
3Adaptability or versatility
If CCE aggregation level information is transmitted through additional signaling channels, then resource allocation flexibility is improved, but control channel overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
DCI format 2_0 is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides slot format indication, resource allocation information, and CCE aggregation level indication all in a single message. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated signaling channels, thereby reducing overall control channel overhead while maintaining resource allocation flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of a first communication node may comprise: obtaining control channel element (CCE) aggregation level (AL) information from a second communication node; identifying whether control information is received from the second communication node based on the CCE AL information; and in response to identifying that the control information is received, obtaining the control information, wherein the CCE AL information includes AL information of each of a plurality of CCEs, the AL information indicates a CCE AL, and the AL information is included in the CCE AL information in ascending order of CCE indexes.