Group Common Control Channel for 5G Numerology Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing LTE PDCCH structure is not suitable for 5G networks due to the increased diversity in numerology and bandwidth structures, necessitating a new group common PDCCH structure for efficient control signaling.
Innovation Solution
A group common control channel (GCCCH) is introduced to support soft AI and group Ack/Nack for UL grant-free transmission, utilizing both static and dynamic signaling methods to provide control information to a group of UEs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the LTE PDCCH structure is used for 5G, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but it cannot accommodate diverse numerology and bandwidth structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control channel into group-common PDCCH (for group-wide control information) and UE-specific PDCCH (for individual control information). This segmentation allows the group-common PDCCH to handle diverse numerology and bandwidth structures through configurable parameters, while UE-specific PDCCH maintains simpler structures for individual devices, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic configurability in the group-common PDCCH structure, where parameters such as numerology, bandwidth, and resource allocation can be dynamically adjusted based on network conditions and device requirements. This dynamic approach enables the PDCCH to adapt to diverse 5G scenarios without requiring completely separate structures for each case, balancing adaptability with implementation complexity.
2Loss of information
If individual PDCCH is used for each UE, then specific control information is provided, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges control information for multiple UEs into a single group-common PDCCH when the UEs share common control requirements (e.g., same numerology, bandwidth, or transmission parameters). This merging significantly reduces signaling overhead compared to sending individual PDCCH to each UE, while still delivering necessary control information efficiently to the group.
Solution Approach 2:
The group-common PDCCH is designed with multi-functionality to serve multiple UEs simultaneously for various purposes including group Ack/Nack feedback, grant-free transmission coordination, and common resource allocation. This universal approach allows a single control channel to replace multiple individual channels, reducing overall signaling overhead while maintaining effective control information delivery.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and systems for group common control channel implementation and use are provided. An embodiment a method in a base station for signaling group common control channel information is provided. The method includes determining control information common to a group of user equipment (UEs), the control information comprising time-frequency locations for at least one of a plurality of data channels and a plurality of control channels. The control information formatted in a Downlink Control Information (DCI) format. The method also includes encoding the control information in a group common control channel to generate encoded control information. The method also includes transmitting the encoded control information to the group of UEs.