Dynamic DCI Timing Indications in New Radio

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems, particularly in New Radio (NR) technologies, face challenges in dynamically indicating downlink control information (DCI) timing, leading to potential communication errors due to dynamic slot configurations and reconfigurations, which affect scheduling flexibility and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of dynamic DCI timing indications using opportunity timing instead of slot timing, allowing user equipment (UE) to identify communication opportunities based on received DCI, ensuring flexibility and reducing errors by adapting to slot configurations and reconfigurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If slot timing is used for DCI indication, then scheduling structure is simplified, but scheduling flexibility is reduced and communication errors increase due to dynamic slot configurations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling flexibilityVSAvoidcommunication error rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static slot-based timing to dynamic opportunity-based timing. The timing indication is no longer fixed to predetermined slot structures but adapts dynamically to actual communication opportunities, allowing the system to respond flexibly to changing slot configurations while maintaining reliable communication through real-time adaptation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the timing parameter from slot-based to opportunity-based indexing. Instead of indicating timing in terms of fixed slot numbers, the system uses opportunity timing indications that reference actual communication opportunities within slots, fundamentally changing how timing is parameterized to achieve both flexibility and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If opportunity timing is used for DCI indication, then scheduling flexibility and reliability are improved, but timing indication overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication error rateVSAvoidtiming indication overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses partial action by indicating only the necessary opportunity timing information rather than complete slot configuration details. The timing indication focuses specifically on when communication opportunities occur within slots, providing sufficient information for scheduling without transmitting redundant data about entire slot structures, thus reducing overhead while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Adaptability or versatility

If dynamic slot configurations are implemented, then scheduling adaptability is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling adaptabilityVSAvoidslot configuration management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the timing indication from complex slot configuration management by using opportunity-based timing references. Instead of requiring the system to manage and track detailed slot configurations, the solution extracts only the essential timing information (when communication opportunities occur) from the slot structures, simplifying the overall system complexity while maintaining scheduling adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3721576B1Dynamic downlink control information timing indications in new radio
Publication Date: 2023.11.08 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3721576B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3721576B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3721576B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may receive downlink control information (DCI) that includes a timing value indicating a timing of an opportunity, subsequent to reception of the DCI, for transmission or reception of a communication corresponding to the DCI. The UE may determine an uplink opportunity or a downlink opportunity for transmission or reception of the communication based at least in part on the timing of the opportunity. A counter for determining the uplink opportunity may be incremented only for transmission time intervals (TTIs) in which the UE is allowed to transmit the communication in an uplink channel. A counter for determining the downlink opportunity may be incremented only for TTIs in which the UE can expect to receive the communication in a downlink channel. The UE may transmit or receive the communication in the uplink opportunity or the downlink opportunity. Other aspects are disclosed.