Flexible Downlink Control Channel Region Configuration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current LTE systems face challenges in efficiently configuring downlink control channels for varying TTI lengths, leading to high scheduling latency and resource wastage, particularly with the existing PDCCH mapping methods which either underutilize or overutilize resources, affecting latency reduction and spectral efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The method involves dynamically configuring multiple downlink control channel regions with adjustable symbol occupation and mapping manners, allowing for flexible resource allocation and reducing overheads by indicating resource availability within the downlink control channel regions, enabling efficient data transmission across different TTI lengths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If PDCCH mapping manner defined in existing LTE Rel-8 is used, then sPDCCH region and data region are located on different symbols, but a waste of resources is caused due to limited sPDCCH quantity in each short TTI
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the downlink control channel region flexible and configurable rather than fixed. The network device can dynamically configure the downlink control channel region for each terminal device based on service requirements, allowing the control channel to adapt its position and size within the time-frequency resource grid. This resolves the contradiction by enabling efficient resource utilization while maintaining reliable control channel coverage.
2Reliability
If an EPDCCH mapping manner defined in Rel-11 is used, then an sPDCCH occupies all symbols in a short TTI, but a terminal device needs a relatively long time to detect the sPDCCH, thereby affecting latency reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the downlink control channel region dynamically configurable in terms of time-frequency resources. The network can adjust the size and position of the control channel region based on the required detection time and service latency requirements. This allows the system to balance detection accuracy with latency reduction by optimizing the control channel configuration for different scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the downlink control channel region, including its time-frequency location, size, and mapping pattern. By adjusting these parameters, the system can optimize the control channel for different TTI lengths and service requirements, resolving the contradiction between detection accuracy and latency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a system includes data transmission with a plurality of TTI lengths to meet different service requirements, then service adaptability is improved, but downlink control channel configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal downlink control channel configuration mechanism that can serve multiple TTI lengths and different service types through a unified framework. The network device configures the downlink control channel region using a standardized approach that adapts to different service requirements, reducing configuration complexity while maintaining service adaptability.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
Information sending and receiving methods are provided. The information sending method includes: determining, by a network device, configuration information of N downlink control channel regions, where the N downlink control channel regions include a first downlink control channel region, the configuration information of the N downlink control channel regions includes configuration information of the first downlink control channel region, and N is a positive integer; and sending, by the network device, the configuration information of the N downlink control channel regions to a terminal device, so that the terminal device determines the N downlink control channel regions based on the configuration information of the N downlink control channel regions. The method can be used to flexibly configure a downlink control channel region, to flexibly use a downlink resource.