Frequency-Domain Multicast Scheduling with Terminal Assistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 5G NR multicast technologies lack effective control channel enhancements for frequency domain resource allocation, leading to complexity and inefficiencies in scheduling multicast traffic due to varying bandwidth configurations among terminal devices.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism is introduced where a first device generates assistance information for a second device to identify frequency domain resources within its specific bandwidth part, using group-common PDCCH messages, allowing flexible scheduling and reducing complexity by enabling terminal devices to decode DCI with predictable sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If group scheduling mechanisms are used to deliver multicast traffic to multiple terminal devices, then resource utilization is improved, but complexity increases due to varying bandwidth configurations among terminals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces assistance information as an intermediary element that mediates between the group-common PDCCH and terminal devices with varying bandwidth configurations. This assistance information, transmitted via dedicated PDCCH or PDSCH, provides terminal-specific parameters that enable correct interpretation of frequency domain resources without requiring complex individual scheduling for each terminal
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the scheduling information into two parts: group-common information transmitted via group-common PDCCH and terminal-specific assistance information transmitted via dedicated PDCCH or PDSCH. This segmentation allows the system to handle multiple terminals with different bandwidth configurations efficiently by providing customized parameters to each terminal while maintaining group-level resource allocation
2Speed
If terminal devices decode DCI without assistance information, then decoding speed is maintained, but error rate increases due to misinterpretation of frequency domain resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by providing assistance information to terminal devices before they decode the group-common PDCCH. This assistance information contains pre-configured parameters specific to each terminal's bandwidth part, enabling them to correctly interpret the frequency domain resource allocation in the group-common DCI without requiring complex real-time calculations or multiple decoding attempts
3Measurement precision
If individual scheduling is used for each terminal device, then resource allocation accuracy is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges individual scheduling accuracy with group-common resource allocation by combining group-common PDCCH for bulk resource indication with terminal-specific assistance information for precise interpretation. This approach achieves individualized resource allocation accuracy while maintaining the efficiency of group-level scheduling, significantly reducing signaling overhead compared to fully individual scheduling
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to frequency domain resource allocation for multicast traffic. A method comprises: receiving, at a first device and from a core network element, multicast traffic to be scheduled for a second device; generating assistance information for the second device, the assistance information enabling the second device to identify, within a bandwidth part configured for the second device, a frequency domain resource allocated for the multicast traffic; and transmitting the assistance information to the second device. The method further comprises: receiving, at the second device, the assistance information from a first device; and determining the frequency domain resource from downlink control information based on the assistance information. In this way, a significant flexibility to schedule multicast traffic can be provided, and a significant complexity reduction to a terminal device can be provided.