Dynamic Downlink Control Channel Candidate Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing LTE system lacks flexibility in downlink control channel transmission, leading to inefficient blind detection by terminals, either consuming excessive power with too many detections or risking blocking with too few, due to a fixed number of candidates in the control channel candidates set.

Innovation Solution

The method allows the base station to dynamically adjust and notify the terminal of the number of downlink control channel candidates within specific resource sets, enabling the terminal to determine the number of candidates for each aggregation level based on explicit or implicit signaling, thereby optimizing the number of blind detections according to actual needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the number of PDCCH or ePDCCH candidates in the control region is fixed according to existing LTE standards, then the system maintains standardized operation and compatibility, but the transmission flexibility is insufficient and cannot adapt to actual needs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission flexibilityVSAvoidcandidate configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the number of PDCCH/ePDCCH candidates dynamic by allowing the base station to configure different candidate numbers for different aggregation levels through RRC signaling. This enables the system to adapt the candidate quantity according to actual transmission needs rather than using fixed standardized values, directly resolving the contradiction between transmission flexibility and configuration complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of candidate number from fixed to variable by introducing configuration parameters that allow the base station to specify different numbers of candidates for different aggregation levels. This parameter change enables flexible adaptation to various transmission scenarios while maintaining system operability through standardized configuration mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the number of candidates is large, then the terminal can detect more downlink control channels with higher probability, but the terminal performs blind detection with high power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection probabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables dynamic adjustment of the candidate number parameter to balance detection probability and power consumption. By configuring appropriate candidate numbers for different aggregation levels based on actual channel conditions and traffic requirements, the system can achieve reliable detection while avoiding excessive blind detections that would consume unnecessary power.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by configuring different numbers of candidates for different aggregation levels rather than using a uniform large number for all levels. This allows the terminal to perform sufficient blind detections for high-priority control information while reducing detections for less critical information, optimizing the balance between reliability and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Use of energy by moving object

If the number of candidates is small, then the terminal performs blind detection with low power consumption, but the number of blind detections is insufficient and blocking probability increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddetection probability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically adjusts the candidate number parameter to ensure sufficient detection opportunities while controlling power consumption. By configuring appropriate candidate quantities for different aggregation levels based on actual needs, the system avoids both excessive detections that waste power and insufficient detections that cause blocking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by using different candidate numbers for different aggregation levels, providing sufficient detection opportunities for critical control information while reducing detections for less important information. This selective approach ensures reliability for essential transmissions while minimizing unnecessary power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Ease of operation

If the number of candidates for each aggregation level is fixed, then the system operation is simplified, but the downlink control channel transmission cannot be adjusted according to actual needs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem operation simplicityVSAvoidtransmission adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces configurable parameters that allow the base station to specify different numbers of candidates for different aggregation levels through RRC signaling. This maintains ease of operation through standardized configuration mechanisms while enabling flexible adaptation to various transmission scenarios, resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and transmission adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3621381B1Method and device for transmitting downlink control channel
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 DATANG MOBILE COMM EQUIP CO LTD
  • EP3621381B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3621381B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3621381B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Disclosed in the present disclosure are a method and a device for transmitting a downlink control channel, for realizing more flexible transmission of a downlink control channel according to the number of actual candidates, enabling a terminal to perform, according to the number of actual candidates, downlink control channel detection and reception, avoiding the problem that the terminal might perform too many or too few blind downlink control channel detections, and satisfying actual needs. The method for transmitting a downlink control channel provided in the present application comprises: determining the number of candidates for transmitting a downlink control channel, of at least one set of resources for transmitting a downlink control channel; and within the set of resources, receiving the downlink control channel according to the number of candidates.