Multi-Carrier PDSCH Scheduling With Unified DCI
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in Rel-17 NR-U is to efficiently control the number of DCI format information elements and size in adaptation to the number of actually scheduled component carriers (CCs) while minimizing blind decoding at user equipment, particularly in carrier aggregation and dynamic spectrum sharing scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for determining physical downlink shared channel scheduling resources by grouping and selecting component carriers, forming virtual carriers, and performing resource mapping based on aggregate patterns, which reduces the number of DCI formats and blind decoding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple component carriers are scheduled with separate DCI formats, then scheduling flexibility and resource allocation precision are improved, but control signaling overhead and blind decoding complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple DCI formats into a unified DCI structure that can schedule multiple component carriers simultaneously. The unified DCI includes a carrier indicator field with bitmap representation to identify scheduled carriers, resource allocation fields that apply across carriers, and common scheduling parameters, thereby reducing the number of separate DCI messages while maintaining scheduling flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The unified DCI format is designed to serve multiple functions: it can schedule one or multiple component carriers, support different resource allocation types (type 0 and type 1), and accommodate various transmission configurations. This multi-functional design allows a single DCI format to replace multiple specialized formats, reducing blind decoding requirements
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of DCI format information elements is increased to support more component carriers, then scheduling capability is improved, but control signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the DCI structure adaptive: common parameters that are identical across multiple component carriers are included once in the unified DCI, while carrier-specific parameters are included only when necessary. The carrier indicator field uses bitmap representation to efficiently indicate which carriers are scheduled, avoiding redundant information transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The DCI information elements are segmented into common fields (applicable to all scheduled carriers) and carrier-specific fields (included only for scheduled carriers). This segmentation allows the DCI to scale with the number of scheduled carriers while minimizing overhead for common parameters that would otherwise be repeated in separate DCI formats
3Area of stationary object
If carrier aggregation is implemented across multiple frequency bands, then effective bandwidth is improved, but system complexity and resource management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The unified DCI format acts as an intermediary that simplifies the management of multiple component carriers across different frequency bands. It provides a standardized interface for resource allocation that works regardless of the number or frequency of carriers, abstracting away the complexity of multi-band carrier aggregation from the scheduling and execution layers
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and apparatus of a device that determines a physical downlink shared channel scheduling resource for a user equipment device and a base station is described. In an exemplary embodiment, the device selects a plurality of component carriers from a pool of available component carriers associated with a wireless link established between the user equipment device and the base station. In addition, the device selects a virtual component carrier from the plurality of component carriers. Furthermore, the device determines a physical downlink shared channel scheduling resource based on at least the virtual component carrier.