Extended PDCCH Decoding and PUCCH Resource Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an enhanced ePDCCH decoding process at a UE in communication systems supporting both conventional and extended PDCCHs, as well as determining PUCCH resources for HARQ-ACK signal transmission in response to data TBs scheduled by ePDCCHs, while ensuring reliable channel estimates, especially for UEs with low DL SINR.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves methods and apparatus for a UE to decode both conventional and extended PDCCHs by identifying candidate PDCCHs within specific resource sets and determining PUCCH resources based on detected PDCCH types, with enhanced DMRS reliability for ePDCCHs, allowing for efficient coexistence and decoding of both PDCCH types without increasing decoding complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a UE decodes both conventional PDCCHs and extended PDCCHs in the same subframe, then the system supports enhanced coverage and low SINR UEs, but the decoding complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the control channel into two distinct types: conventional PDCCH and extended PDCCH. Each type has its own decoding process and resource allocation. The UE is configured to decode conventional PDCCH candidates first, then extended PDCCH candidates, separating the decoding tasks into distinct stages rather than mixing them, which manages complexity while maintaining support for both types
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the UE decode conventional PDCCH candidates before extended PDCCH candidates within the same subframe. This sequential approach establishes a clear decoding order, allowing the UE to process conventional PDCCH first and then proceed to extended PDCCH, thereby managing decoding complexity through pre-defined processing stages
2Reliability
If the number of OFDM symbols for PDCCH is increased to extend coverage, then low SINR UEs can decode control signals, but the resources available for PDSCH decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces extended PDCCH that can be transmitted across multiple subframes, adding a time-dimension extension beyond the conventional single-subframe PDCCH. This allows control information to be distributed over extended time periods, improving reliability for low SINR UEs without permanently reducing per-subframe PDSCH resources, as the extended PDCCH utilizes resources across the extended time window
3Quantity of substance
If PDCCH resources are scaled according to DCI format requirements, then PDCCH overhead is reduced, but the control region size becomes variable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control region structure where the number of OFDM symbols allocated to PDCCH can vary based on the DCI format requirements and traffic conditions. The system dynamically adjusts the control region size, allowing smaller control regions when overhead reduction is needed and larger control regions when extended coverage is required, providing flexibility to optimize between overhead and reliability based on current system conditions
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and apparatus are provided for a User Equipment (UE) to receive over a first set of resources a Physical Downlink Control CHannel (PDCCH) of a first type including Control Channel Elements (CCEs) of a first type, to receive over a second set of resources a PDCCH of a second type including CCEs of a second type, and to determine a resource for transmitting an acknowledgement signal in response to detecting the PDCCH of the first type or in response to detecting the PDCCH of the second type.