Dual-Connectivity PDCCH Monitoring for MCG-SCG Capability Split

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing PDCCH monitoring capabilities in dual connectivity scenarios, particularly when UEs are configured with both Release 15 and Release 16 PDCCHs, leading to ambiguity in distributing CCEs and BDs across carriers.

Innovation Solution

A method for UEs to report PDCCH monitoring capabilities considering slot-based, span-based, or combined monitoring configurations, and for base stations to configure PDCCH monitoring accordingly, enabling clear distribution of CCEs and BDs across master and secondary cell groups in dual connectivity mode.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a UE is configured with both Release 15 and Release 16 PDCCHs in dual connectivity mode, then the system can support diverse PDCCH monitoring requirements and improve scheduling flexibility, but the UE complexity increases due to ambiguity in distributing CCEs and BDs across carriers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport for diverse PDCCH monitoring requirementsVSAvoidUE complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the PDCCH monitoring capability reporting by separating MCG (Master Cell Group) and SCG (Secondary Cell Group) configurations. The UE reports capability information independently for each cell group, allowing the base station to allocate CCEs and BDs separately for Release 15 and Release 16 PDCCHs across different cell groups. This segmentation resolves the ambiguity in distribution while maintaining support for diverse monitoring requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by allowing different PDCCH monitoring capabilities to be configured for different cell groups (MCG and SCG) and different release versions (Release 15 and Release 16). Each cell group can have customized capability values for CCEs and BDs based on local requirements, rather than applying a uniform configuration across all carriers. This enables optimized resource allocation that reduces overall UE complexity while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If the base station configures PDCCH monitoring for multiple carriers with different release versions, then scheduling flexibility is improved, but the difficulty of managing and distributing CCEs and BDs increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescheduling flexibilityVSAvoiddifficulty of managing CCE and BD distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The base station receives segmented capability information from the UE, separated by MCG and SCG. This segmentation enables the base station to manage CCE and BD distribution independently for each cell group and release version, significantly reducing the complexity of managing multiple carriers with different release versions while maintaining scheduling flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If the UE reports detailed PDCCH monitoring capability information for both MCG and SCG, then the base station can optimize resource allocation, but the amount of information to be processed and configured increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptimization of resource allocationVSAvoidamount of capability information

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The capability information is segmented into MCG-specific and SCG-specific reports, each containing relevant capability values for that cell group. This segmentation allows the base station to process only the necessary information for each cell group independently, reducing the overall processing burden compared to handling a single large unified configuration, while still enabling detailed resource allocation optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4151034B1Physical downlink control channel monitoring capability reporting and configuration for dual connectivity

Publication Date: 2025.11.19 QUALCOMM INC

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AI summary

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may transmit, to a base station, for a master cell group and a secondary cell group used for a dual connectivity mode of the UE, information indicating physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) monitoring capability values for one or more of span-based monitoring or a combination of slot-based monitoring and span-based monitoring. The UE may receive, from the base station, PDCCH monitoring configuration values for the MCG and the SCG based at least in part on the PDCCH monitoring capability values. Numerous other aspects are provided.