Downlink Repetition Monitoring Under TDD Slot Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently monitoring downlink repetitions due to insufficient or mismatched slot formats and repetition configurations, particularly for UEs with reduced capabilities such as NR-light devices, leading to coverage loss and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A base station configures UEs with slot format and downlink repetition configurations, ensuring they satisfy a validation rule by verifying the number of downlink-compatible symbols, which may involve time division DMRS bundling and dynamic slot format adjustments, to support efficient monitoring of downlink repetitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the base station configures a high number of downlink repetitions for NR-light UEs, then coverage is improved, but the slot format may not have sufficient downlink-compatible symbols to support the repetitions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic slot format adjustment where the base station can modify the slot format configuration based on the number of downlink repetitions required. When NR-light UEs need enhanced coverage through multiple repetitions, the base station dynamically adjusts the slot format to include sufficient downlink-compatible symbols, transforming a static slot structure into a flexible one that adapts to coverage requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the slot format configuration, specifically the number and distribution of downlink-compatible symbols within a slot. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system ensures that the slot format can accommodate the required number of downlink repetitions for NR-light UEs without conflict, resolving the contradiction between coverage enhancement and slot format compatibility.
2Reliability
If the UE monitors all configured downlink repetitions, then communication reliability is improved, but power consumption increases for UEs with reduced capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by having the UE monitor only the necessary number of downlink repetitions rather than all configured repetitions. The UE determines based on its capability and the validation rule whether to monitor all repetitions or a subset, avoiding excessive monitoring that would waste power while maintaining sufficient communication reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The UE performs self-validation by checking whether the slot format and repetition configuration satisfy the validation rule before committing to monitoring. This self-service mechanism allows the UE to autonomously determine its monitoring strategy based on current slot format conditions, optimizing power consumption while ensuring reliable communication when conditions permit.
3Quantity of substance
If the slot format has many downlink-compatible symbols, then it can support more repetitions, but fewer symbols are available for other downlink transmissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the slot format dynamic rather than static, allowing the base station to adjust the number of downlink-compatible symbols based on the specific transmission requirements. When NR-light UEs require multiple repetitions for coverage, the slot format is dynamically reconfigured to allocate sufficient symbols for repetitions while minimizing impact on overall downlink transmission efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The base station performs preliminary configuration of the slot format to ensure it can support the required number of downlink repetitions before actual transmission begins. By pre-validating the slot format against the repetition configuration, the system avoids conflicts during transmission and maintains efficient resource utilization without requiring reactive adjustments.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A base station may identify a slot format configuration, such as a time division duplex (TDD) slot format configuration, and one or more downlink repetition configurations corresponding to a number of downlink repetitions for a user equipment (UE). The base station may transmit the configurations to the UE. The UE may determine that the number of downlink repetitions and the configured slot format satisfy, or fail to satisfy, a validation rule for monitoring the number of downlink repetitions. The UE may monitor, or refrain from monitoring, the number of repetitions based on whether the validation rule is satisfied.