HARQ Process Aggregation for Cross-Carrier Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G networks, cross-carrier scheduling of carriers with different numerologies leads to a substantial increase in Downlink Control Information (DCI) overhead, particularly when scheduling multiple slots across carriers with varying subcarrier spacings.
Innovation Solution
The method involves receiving a control signal indicating a maximum number of HARQ processes from a base station and aggregating every two or more scheduled slots into a single HARQ process when the number exceeds this maximum, thereby reducing signaling overhead by sharing HARQ process information across bundled slots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cross-carrier scheduling is implemented for carriers with different numerologies, then scheduling flexibility and coverage are improved, but DCI overhead increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple scheduled slots into a single HARQ process, allowing multiple slot assignments to be represented by one HARQ process ID in the DCI. This combining approach reduces the number of separate HARQ processes needed, thereby reducing DCI overhead while maintaining the ability to schedule across multiple carriers with different numerologies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a unified HARQ process management mechanism that can handle multiple carriers and different numerologies through a single HARQ process structure. This universal approach allows the same HARQ process to serve multiple scheduling purposes across different carriers, reducing the overall DCI overhead required for cross-carrier scheduling.
2Productivity
If multiple HARQ processes are used to schedule multiple slots, then scheduling capacity is improved, but DCI payload size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple slot scheduling information into a single HARQ process ID field in the DCI. Instead of allocating separate HARQ process IDs for each scheduled slot, the system merges the scheduling information so that one HARQ process can represent multiple slots, thereby reducing DCI payload size while maintaining scheduling capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter representation by using a reduced set of HARQ process IDs that map to multiple slots. Instead of having a one-to-one mapping between HARQ processes and slots, the system implements a many-to-one mapping where multiple slots share a common HARQ process ID, effectively changing the parameter structure to reduce DCI overhead.
3Adaptability or versatility
If cross-carrier scheduling with different numerologies is implemented, then network flexibility is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges scheduling information for multiple carriers with different numerologies into a unified HARQ process structure. By combining the scheduling decisions for multiple carriers into a single HARQ process management framework, the system reduces the signaling overhead required to coordinate cross-carrier scheduling while maintaining network flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal HARQ process management mechanism that can handle multiple carriers and numerologies through a single standardized interface. This universal approach eliminates the need for separate signaling for each carrier-HARQ process combination, thereby reducing overall signaling overhead while preserving network flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for efficient cross-carrier scheduling of multiple slots. One apparatus includes a transceiver and a processor coupled with the transceiver, the processor configured to cause the apparatus to transmit a first control signal to a remote unit, the first control signal indicating a maximum number of HARQ processes, and to transmit a second control signal to the remote unit, where the second control signal is transmitted on a first carrier and where the second control signal schedules a first number of slots on a second carrier. The processor aggregates every two or more of the scheduled first number of slots to a single HARQ process in response to the first number being larger than the maximum number of HARQ processes.