Downlink Control Information Multipoint Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current downlink control information methods in wireless communication systems do not support diversity transmission and/or multi-stream transmission in multipoint coordination scenarios, limiting the ability to effectively manage data transmission from multiple network side devices to a single user equipment.
Innovation Solution
A method where multiple pieces of downlink control information are sent in the same format, allowing user equipment to differentiate between network side devices using format variations, without the need to extend or frequently change the control information format, enabling both single-point and multipoint transmission modes while maintaining backward compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the existing downlink control information format is used to indicate single-point transmission, then backward compatibility is maintained, but multipoint diversity and multi-stream transmission cannot be supported
Solution Approach 1:
The downlink control information is segmented into multiple independent pieces, each indicating downlink data transmission from a different network side device. Each piece contains transmission information for a specific transmission point, allowing the user equipment to process multiple transmission sources separately while maintaining the original format structure for each segment
Solution Approach 2:
The existing downlink control information format is made universal by enabling it to function for both single-point and multipoint transmission modes. The same format structure is reused across different transmission scenarios, with the format serving multiple purposes: indicating single-cell transmission when one piece is sent, and indicating coordinated multipoint transmission when multiple pieces are sent
2Adaptability or versatility
If the downlink control information format is extended to support multipoint transmission, then transmission mode versatility improves, but format compatibility with existing systems deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of modifying the existing control information format, the solution creates copies of the original format. Multiple identical format instances are generated, each carrying transmission information for a different network side device. This copying approach preserves the original format's stability while enabling multipoint transmission support through quantity rather than structural change
3Reliability
If multiple pieces of downlink control information are sent for multipoint transmission, then transmission reliability improves, but the complexity of managing different formats increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solution enforces homogeneity by ensuring all multiple pieces of downlink control information use the exact same format structure. Each piece is homogeneous in format, containing consistent fields for indicating antenna ports, scrambling identities, and other transmission parameters. This uniformity across all format instances simplifies processing at the user equipment side, as the same format interpretation rules apply to all received pieces regardless of quantity
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
This application relates to the field of wireless communications technologies, and in particular, to a downlink control information indication method during coordinated multipoint transmission/reception in a wireless communications system. This application provides a downlink control information indication method. For a plurality of network side devices that send downlink data to user equipment on a same carrier and in a same subframe, downlink data transmission information used when the network side devices separately send the downlink data is indicated by using a plurality of pieces of downlink control information. Therefore, diversity transmission and/or multi-stream transmission in a multipoint coordination scenario are/is supported, and when the user equipment cannot normally receive downlink data sent by some network side devices because some downlink control information encounters an error, the user equipment may still receive, based on an indication of remaining downlink control information that encounters no error, downlink data sent by a network side device corresponding to the remaining downlink control information that encounters no error, thereby ensuring robustness of downlink data transmission in multipoint diversity transmission and/or multipoint multi-stream transmission scenarios, and increasing system and user throughputs.