Joint Downlink Assignment for Uplink Scheduling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems, particularly LTE, face inefficiencies in uplink scheduling due to high overhead from downlink control signaling, especially when handling small data packets and aperiodic channel state information (CSI) reports, which is exacerbated by the need for frequent resource allocation and power control in scenarios with varying data traffic patterns.

Innovation Solution

The method involves using a downlink assignment to control uplink scheduling by incorporating necessary parameters for uplink data transmission and channel state information reporting, eliminating the need for separate uplink grants and optimizing resource allocation through a 'Super-PDCCH' mechanism that combines downlink and uplink control information, allowing for dynamic scheduling and power control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate uplink grants are used for each uplink transmission, then uplink resource allocation can be precise and flexible, but downlink control signaling overhead increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuplink resource allocation flexibilityVSAvoiddownlink control signaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines downlink assignment and uplink grant into a single joint downlink assignment message. The uplink grant information is embedded within the downlink assignment, allowing the base station to schedule both downlink data reception and uplink data transmission in one control signaling operation, thereby reducing control overhead while maintaining scheduling flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The downlink assignment is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it schedules downlink data reception, allocates uplink resources for data transmission, and triggers aperiodic channel state information reporting. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate control messages for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Speed

If frequent uplink grants are sent for small data packets, then uplink scheduling responsiveness is improved, but control signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuplink scheduling responsivenessVSAvoidcontrol signaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the uplink grant for small data packets with the downlink assignment message. By embedding uplink resource allocation information within the downlink assignment, the system can respond quickly to small data packet transmissions without requiring separate grant messages, thus reducing overhead while maintaining responsiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If aperiodic CSI reporting is triggered by uplink grants, then precise downlink channel state information can be obtained, but PDCCH overhead increases when uplink data traffic is absent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedownlink channel state information accuracyVSAvoidPDCCH overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The downlink assignment is enhanced to serve as both a downlink scheduling message and an aperiodic CSI trigger. By embedding the CSI trigger within the joint downlink assignment, the system can request channel state information reports without requiring separate uplink grants, thereby maintaining measurement precision while reducing PDCCH overhead during periods of low uplink traffic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of manufacture

If separate control channels are used for downlink and uplink, then control information can be optimized for each direction, but overall control signaling efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol information optimizationVSAvoidcontrol signaling efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges separate downlink and uplink control channels into a single joint downlink assignment message. This unified control mechanism schedules both downlink and uplink resources efficiently, improving overall control signaling efficiency while still allowing direction-specific parameter optimization within the unified structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2745593B1Scheduling communications

Publication Date: 2020.11.11 NOKIA SOLUTIONS & NETWORKS OY

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AI summary

In methods and apparatus for communications scheduling for at least one device in a first direction is determined by a controller. Information relating to the scheduling is communicated in at least one assignment associated with a second direction for use in configuring of data transmission in the first direction. After a device receives the assignment it determines from the assignment information relating to the scheduling and data transmissions in the first direction are configured based on the assignment associated with the second direction.