EPDCCH Set Segmentation for Control Signaling Overhead Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In LTE systems, particularly with the introduction of new carrier types, there is a challenge in designing a transmission mechanism for the common control channel to achieve high spectrum utilization, as existing methods lead to repetitive sending of control information and increased signaling overheads.
Innovation Solution
The proposed method involves user equipment acquiring configuration information for enhanced physical downlink control channel (EPDCCH) sets, determining which sets to monitor, and selectively monitoring these sets to acquire control information, thereby reducing repetitive signaling and improving spectrum utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the common control channel sends control information on all EPDCCH sets, then all user equipment can receive control information reliably, but control signaling overhead increases and spectrum utilization decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The EPDCCH common search space is divided into multiple EPDCCH sets (first EPDCCH set and second EPDCCH set). Different user equipment monitors different sets based on their capabilities and configurations. This segmentation allows control information to be distributed across multiple sets rather than all sets being used by all equipment, reducing redundant signaling overhead while maintaining reliable delivery to each device.
Solution Approach 2:
Different EPDCCH sets are configured with different monitoring requirements and are assigned to different types of user equipment. The first EPDCCH set may be monitored by all equipment while the second set is monitored only by specific equipment based on configuration. This local differentiation ensures that each equipment receives control information through the appropriate set for its capabilities, reducing overall signaling overhead.
2Reliability
If all user equipment monitors all EPDCCH sets, then control information delivery is ensured, but spectrum utilization efficiency decreases due to repetitive transmissions
Solution Approach 1:
The control channel resources are segmented into multiple EPDCCH sets with different monitoring requirements. By segmenting the search space and assigning different sets to different equipment groups, the system avoids having all equipment monitor all sets, thereby reducing repetitive control information transmissions and improving spectrum utilization while maintaining reliable delivery to each device.
Solution Approach 2:
Not all user equipment is required to monitor all EPDCCH sets. Instead, each equipment monitors only the necessary subset of sets based on its capabilities and configuration. This partial monitoring approach eliminates excessive redundant monitoring actions, reducing spectrum waste from repetitive transmissions while ensuring each device receives its required control information.
3Adaptability or versatility
If MTC UE monitors the entire carrier bandwidth, then all control information can be received, but device complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier bandwidth is segmented into multiple EPDCCH sets that can be selectively monitored. MTC UE with limited capabilities can be configured to monitor only specific EPDCCH sets (e.g., the first set) rather than the entire carrier bandwidth. This segmentation reduces the processing burden and complexity for MTC devices while still enabling them to receive necessary control information through the assigned sets.
Solution Approach 2:
Different monitoring configurations are assigned to different types of user equipment based on their capabilities. MTC UE receive configurations that limit monitoring to specific EPDCCH sets appropriate for their processing capabilities, while other equipment may monitor additional sets. This local differentiation adapts the control channel monitoring to each device's capabilities, reducing complexity for constrained devices.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The present invention discloses a control information transmission method, user equipment, and a base station, and belongs to the field of wireless technologies. The method includes: acquiring, by user equipment, configuration information of an enhanced physical downlink control channel EPDCCH set; determining, by the user equipment according to the configuration information and from the EPDCCH set, at least one EPDCCH set in which an EPDCCH needs to be monitored; and monitoring, by the user equipment, an EPDCCH on a resource corresponding to the at least one EPDCCH set, to acquire control information sent by a base station. In the present invention, because the at least one EPDCCH set is only a part of EPDCCH sets corresponding to EPDCCH common search space, and this part may be monitored by users that have different capabilities in a system, common control information that needs to be detected by all the users may be sent on this part of the EPDCCH sets; therefore, repetitious sending of the common control information can be avoided, control signaling overheads can be reduced, and spectrum utilization can be improved.