MBS Search Space Prioritization for Reliable DCI Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in configuring search spaces for multicast/broadcast service (MBS) communications, leading to suboptimal detection of downlink control information (DCI) formats, particularly for devices receiving both MBS and unicast communications.

Innovation Solution

Configuring search spaces to prioritize and monitor DCI formats for MBS communications more frequently than unicast communications by modifying parameters such as aggregation levels and monitoring occasions, ensuring higher priority is given to MBS-related DCI formats.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If search spaces are configured to monitor both MBS and unicast DCI formats with equal priority, then devices can receive both types of communications, but detection efficiency for MBS communications deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection efficiency of MBS DCI formatsVSAvoidoverall communication reception capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying search space configuration parameters specifically for MBS DCI formats. It introduces a priority parameter that distinguishes MBS search spaces from unicast search spaces, and adjusts monitoring occasion parameters to increase monitoring frequency for MBS. This resolves the contradiction by changing the configuration parameters to prioritize MBS detection without eliminating unicast capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If search spaces are configured to monitor MBS DCI formats more frequently, then detection efficiency of MBS communications is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection efficiency of MBS DCI formatsVSAvoidsearch space configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing search spaces into distinct types: MBS-specific search spaces and unicast search spaces. Each type has its own configuration parameters and monitoring rules. This segmentation allows the device to handle MBS monitoring with higher priority and frequency without complicating the overall search space management, as each segment operates with its own simplified rules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If multiple search space sets are configured for MBS communications, then coverage and reliability are improved, but processing overhead and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveMBS communication reliabilityVSAvoidsearch space management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by introducing dynamic prioritization and dynamic monitoring occasion selection. The device dynamically selects which search space set to monitor based on current conditions and priority levels. The monitoring frequency and occasion selection are dynamic rather than static, allowing the system to manage multiple search space sets efficiently by adapting to changing conditions and reducing processing overhead through intelligent selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4104355B1Techniques for configuring search spaces in multicast/broadcast service (MBS) wireless communications
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4104355B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4104355B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4104355B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Aspects described herein relate to indicating search spaces and/or control information formats for receiving multicast/broadcast service (MBS) downlink control information (DCI). A device can receive a search space configuration defining one or more search spaces for detecting communications intended for a group of one or more user equipment (UEs), determine a priority for detecting control information transmitted over a control channel based on the one or more search spaces, and perform, based on the priority, detection for the control information over the control channel based on the one or more search spaces and/or the other defined search spaces.