Multi-Carrier DCI Scheduling to Reduce NR PDCCH Overhead

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Solution Overview

Problem

The current NR system is limited by scheduling one carrier with one piece of Downlink Control Information (DCI), leading to high Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) overheads in scenarios like Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS).

Innovation Solution

A method and device that support scheduling multiple carriers or Bandwidth Parts (BWPs) using time domain resource indication information in DCI, allowing multiple carriers or BWPs to be scheduled by one piece of DCI, reducing PDCCH overheads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If one carrier is scheduled with one piece of DCI, then the scheduling simplicity is maintained, but the PDCCH overhead increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescheduling complexityVSAvoidPDCCH overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple carrier scheduling into a single DCI by introducing a time domain resource indication field that can indicate resources across multiple carriers. Instead of sending separate DCIs for each carrier, the system combines them into one unified control information structure, thereby reducing PDCCH overhead while maintaining scheduling capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The DCI structure is enhanced with universal functionality to handle multiple carriers simultaneously. The time domain resource indication field serves multiple purposes by indicating resources on different carriers through a unified mechanism, allowing one DCI to perform what previously required multiple separate DCIs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Quantity of substance

If multiple carriers are scheduled with one piece of DCI, then the PDCCH overhead is reduced, but the DCI structure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovePDCCH overheadVSAvoidDCI structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The DCI structure is segmented into functional fields including a time domain resource indication field that can be further divided into carrier indication information and time domain resource information. This segmentation allows the complex multi-carrier scheduling function to be broken down into manageable components, making the increased complexity more organized and easier to process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a time domain dimension to the carrier scheduling mechanism. Instead of expanding carrier scheduling in the frequency domain (which would increase DCI size), the system uses time domain resource indication to multiplex carrier scheduling information, effectively adding a temporal dimension to reduce overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If time domain resource indication information supports multiple carriers, then resource allocation efficiency improves, but the scheduling flexibility may be constrained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource allocation efficiencyVSAvoidscheduling flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The time domain resource indication field is designed to be dynamic, allowing it to adapt to different scheduling scenarios. The field can indicate different combinations of carriers and time resources based on actual network conditions, maintaining flexibility while improving efficiency. The structure can be configured differently depending on the specific scheduling requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12610366B2Resource determining method, resource indication method, and device

Publication Date: 2026.04.21 VIVO MOBILE COMM CO LTD

AI summary

A resource determining method, a resource indication method, and a device are provided. The resource determination method is performed by a user side device, including: obtaining time domain resource indication information of downlink control information (DCI), where the time domain resource indication information supports scheduling of multiple carriers or bandwidth parts (BWPs); and determining a scheduling time domain resource on the multiple carriers or BWPs according to the time domain resource indication information.