Multi-Subframe Scheduling Signaling Overhead Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

In LTE systems, high control signaling overhead and low spectrum efficiency occur due to frequent changes in data transmission configuration, especially when scheduling resources for multiple subframes.

Innovation Solution

Implementing multi-subframe scheduling by sending a continuous scheduling indication and Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) process number for the first scheduled subframe, allowing terminals to acquire and use the same scheduling configuration parameter for subsequent subframes, thereby reducing control signaling and improving spectrum efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If each PDCCH schedules resources of one subframe to perform data transmission, then the scheduling is simple and straightforward, but the control signaling overhead increases and spectrum efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling complexityVSAvoidcontrol signaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the scheduling of multiple subframes into a single PDCCH transmission. Instead of sending separate PDCCH for each subframe, the base station sends one PDCCH that schedules data transmission across multiple subframes (e.g., 2, 3, or 4 subframes). This combining approach reduces the number of PDCCH transmissions, thereby reducing control signaling overhead and improving spectrum efficiency while maintaining scheduling functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If frequent change of configuration information of data transmission is performed, then the system adapts quickly to channel conditions, but the control signaling overhead increases and spectrum efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration adaptabilityVSAvoidcontrol signaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic scheduling where a single PDCCH configuration is applied repeatedly across multiple subframes. The scheduling configuration (including resource allocation, modulation and coding scheme, etc.) is established once and then periodically applied to subsequent subframes without requiring frequent re-transmission of configuration information. This periodic action reduces control signaling overhead while maintaining the ability to adapt to channel conditions through the initial configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Loss of information

If multi-subframe scheduling is implemented to reduce control signaling overhead, then spectrum efficiency improves, but the complexity of managing HARQ processes across multiple subframes increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol signaling overheadVSAvoidHARQ process management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the multi-subframe scheduling into manageable units by associating each scheduled subframe with specific HARQ process identifiers. The single PDCCH transmission includes information that allows the terminal to identify and manage HARQ processes for each individual subframe within the scheduled set. This segmentation approach allows complex multi-subframe HARQ management to be broken down into discrete, manageable process segments that can be tracked independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3522423B1Method, system and apparatus of multi-subframe scheduling
Publication Date: 2020.06.10 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3522423B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3522423B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~6
  • EP3522423B1 patent drawingFigure 7~11

AI summary

The present invention discloses a method, system and apparatus of multi-subframe scheduling. The method of multi-subframe scheduling comprises: sending a terminal a continuous scheduling indication, a Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request process number corresponding to a first scheduled subframe, and a scheduling configuration parameter of multi-subframe scheduling; acquiring a Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request process number corresponding to a currently-scheduling subframe according to the Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request process number corresponding to the first scheduled subframe and the continuous scheduling indication, and performing a data packet transmission of the corresponding Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request process number in the currently-scheduling subframe by using the scheduling configuration parameter, each scheduled subframe of the multi-subframe scheduling carrying one data packet, and each scheduled suframe of the multi-subframe scheduling using the scheduling configuration parameter. The embodiments of the present invention can realize multi-subframe scheduling by sending the Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request process number of the each currently-scheduling subframe and the continuous scheduling indication, saving control signaling overhead of the system and improving spectrum efficiency of the system.