Flexible Data Channel Reference Position for URLLC Buffering
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Solution Overview
Problem
In ultra-reliable and low-latency communication (URLLC) services, the limited size of the time domain resource table restricts the flexibility of scheduling, leading to increased buffer size and power consumption in terminal devices due to the need to buffer all data before receiving the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), which limits the possible combinations of starting symbols and lengths to 16, and further reduces to 4 for reliability and latency requirements.
Innovation Solution
A communication method that flexibly determines the reference position of the starting symbol of the data channel using indication information, allowing it to be any slot boundary, starting/ending symbol of control resources, or PDCCH, to ensure accurate data channel reception and transmission, reducing the need for buffering and power consumption by configuring different reference positions based on service requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a smaller time domain resource table is configured to reduce control channel bits for URLLC reliability, then the quantity of bits in the control channel is reduced, but the scheduling flexibility is limited and the terminal device must buffer more data increasing power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the reference position of the starting symbol configurable rather than fixed. The network device can dynamically indicate different reference positions (slot boundary, control resource set boundaries, or PDCCH boundaries) based on service requirements. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize between buffering requirements and scheduling flexibility, resolving the contradiction between reliability and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of reference position from a fixed value to a configurable parameter indicated by higher layer signaling. By allowing the reference position to be changed based on different service types (e.g., URLLC vs. eMBB), the system can adapt the buffering behavior accordingly, reducing power consumption for URLLC services while maintaining scheduling flexibility when needed.
2Ease of operation
If the reference position is fixed at slot boundary to simplify terminal device operation, then ease of operation is improved, but scheduling flexibility for URLLC services is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the reference position mechanism universal by designing it to serve multiple functions and service types. The same reference position indication mechanism works for both URLLC services (requiring high flexibility) and other services (benefiting from simplicity). The network device can select from multiple reference position options (slot boundary, control resource set boundaries, PDCCH boundaries) depending on the service requirements, making the system universally applicable while maintaining ease of operation.
3Device complexity
If a maximum of 16 time domain resource combinations are configured, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to meet diverse service requirements is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the time domain resource configuration into two parts: a compact table with maximum 16 combinations (maintaining low complexity) and a configurable reference position parameter (providing additional differentiation). This segmentation allows the system to maintain a small resource table while still achieving diverse scheduling capabilities through reference position variation, effectively resolving the contradiction between complexity and adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A network device sends indication information to a terminal device, to indicate a reference position of a starting symbol of a data channel. The network device sends a physical downlink control channel to the terminal device. Then the network device sends the data channel to the terminal device, or the network device receives the data channel from the terminal device.