Inter-RAT DCI Scheduling for LTE-NR Coexistence
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in efficiently deploying new radio access technology (NR) systems, particularly when they coexist with widespread LTE systems, due to differences in operating characteristics and requirements, leading to inefficiencies in resource allocation and complexity in initial deployment.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of Inter-RAT Downlink Control Information (DCI) and Uplink Control Information (UCI) that can be transmitted using LTE transmission formats to indicate the status of NR transmissions, allowing for scheduling of NR resources within LTE frames, thereby reducing complexity and enabling wider, faster, and cheaper deployment of NR systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate control channels are established for NR and LTE systems, then each system can operate independently with optimized control signaling, but the overall system complexity increases and deployment becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines NR and LTE control signaling into a unified framework where DCI formats can schedule both LTE and NR resources. The network device transmits control information that indicates resource allocations for both LTE data channels (PDSCH/PUSCH) and NR data channels (PDSCH/PUSCH) using the same control channel structure, thereby reducing the number of separate control channels needed while maintaining reliable control signaling for both systems
Solution Approach 2:
The DCI format is designed to be universal, capable of scheduling both LTE and NR resources. The control signaling structure can adapt to indicate different resource types (LTE or NR) and different channel types (downlink or uplink) within a single standardized format, enabling one control channel to serve multiple functions for both LTE and NR systems simultaneously
2Productivity
If NR systems are deployed independently with dedicated resources, then NR can achieve optimized performance, but resource allocation efficiency decreases and deployment costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges LTE and NR resource allocation into a unified scheduling framework. The network device can allocate LTE and NR data channels using the same control resources and time-frequency resources, thereby improving resource allocation efficiency. The unified approach allows dynamic sharing of resources between LTE and NR systems while maintaining optimized performance for NR through proper resource indication in the DCI formats
Solution Approach 2:
The control signaling structure is designed to universally handle both LTE and NR resource allocations. A single DCI format can indicate allocations for different RATs, enabling efficient multiplexing of resources. This universal approach allows the system to achieve high NR performance while improving overall resource utilization by avoiding dedicated separate resource pools
3Ease of manufacture
If LTE transmission formats are used for NR control signaling, then deployment complexity is reduced and interoperability improves, but flexibility in NR-specific control optimizations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adaptability into the control signaling framework. While the basic DCI format structure is standardized and can be reused from LTE (providing deployment ease), the format includes dynamic fields and indication mechanisms that allow NR-specific optimizations. The network can dynamically indicate NR resource allocations, channel configurations, and parameters within the standardized DCI structure, providing flexibility when needed while maintaining compatibility when using standard formats
Data Source
AI summary
Communicating in a wireless telecommunications system comprising a communications device and one or more infrastructure equipment, wherein the communications device is configured to communicate with the infrastructure equipment via a first wireless access interface in accordance with a first radio access technology (RAT) and to communicate with the infrastructure equipment via a second wireless access interface in accordance with a second RAT. An exemplary process includes receiving, at the communications device via the first wireless access interface, control signalling from one of the infrastructure equipment, the control signalling comprising an indication of first communications resources to be used by the communications device to communicate via the second wireless access interface, and transmitting, from the communications device, the signals representing data to and/or receiving, at the communications device, the signals representing data from, using the first communications resources, the one of the infrastructure equipment via the second wireless access interface.