Multi-Cell PDCCH Scheduling with Unified DCI Parameters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Legacy 5G NR systems face inefficiencies in multi-cell scheduling due to high signaling overhead and lack of joint scheduling of multiple PDSCHs or PUSCHs across multiple cells, leading to unnecessary repetition of scheduling parameters and significant control signaling overhead, especially in scenarios with a large number of co-scheduled cells.
Innovation Solution
Implement multi-cell scheduling using a single DCI format that provides cell-common and cell-specific scheduling parameters, associating PDCCHs/DCI formats based on link parameters such as DCI sizes, RNTIs, or PDCCH monitoring parameters to reduce signaling overhead while maintaining scheduling flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate DCI formats are used to schedule multiple cells, then each cell can be scheduled independently, but signaling overhead increases significantly due to repetition of scheduling parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple DCI formats into a single unified DCI format that can schedule multiple cells simultaneously. This is achieved by including a cell indicator field that identifies which cells are being scheduled and consolidating common scheduling parameters into a single structure, thereby reducing the repetition of identical parameters across multiple DCI messages while maintaining the ability to independently schedule different cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified DCI format is designed to serve multiple functions: it can schedule one or multiple cells, support both downlink and uplink resources, and accommodate different cell types (serving cells, non-serving cells). The cell indicator field and flexible parameter structure enable this single DCI format to replace what previously required multiple specialized DCI formats, reducing overhead while preserving adaptability.
2Reliability
If scheduling parameters are repeated for each cell, then each cell receives complete scheduling information, but control signaling overhead becomes excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple cell-specific DCI messages into a single unified DCI format that includes a cell indicator field. This field identifies which cells are being scheduled, allowing the receiver to extract relevant scheduling information for each indicated cell without receiving redundant parameter repetitions. The unified structure consolidates common parameters while maintaining cell-specific information where necessary.
3Quantity of substance
If a single DCI format schedules multiple cells, then signaling overhead is reduced, but the complexity of associating PDCCHs with correct cells increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cell indicator field as an intermediary element within the unified DCI format. This field acts as a mediator that explicitly links the scheduling information to specific cells, eliminating the need for complex implicit association rules. The cell indicator provides a direct mapping between the DCI message and the intended cells, simplifying the association process while enabling efficient multi-cell scheduling.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple PDCCHs are transmitted for multi-cell scheduling, then scheduling flexibility is maintained, but the number of blind decodings required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple PDCCH transmissions into a single unified PDCCH that carries a consolidated DCI format capable of scheduling multiple cells. This consolidation reduces the number of separate blind decoding operations the UE must perform, as it only needs to decode one PDCCH instead of multiple separate ones. The unified DCI format within this single PDCCH maintains the ability to schedule multiple cells through its cell indicator field and flexible parameter structure.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses for scheduling via multiple physical downlink control channels (PDCCHs). A method for a user equipment (UE) includes receiving a first PDCCH that provides a first downlink control information (DCI) format and a second PDCCH that provides a second DCI format. The method further includes determining: first parameters for reception of a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), or for transmission of a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), based on values of fields of the first DCI format; and second parameters for reception of the PDSCH, or for transmission of the PUSCH, based on values of fields of the second DCI format. The second parameters are different than the first parameters. The method further includes receiving the PDSCH, or transmitting the PUSCH, based on the first parameters and the second parameters.