Multi-Tier DCI Resource Allocation for Massive Carrier Aggregation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of signaling resource allocations in communications systems with carrier aggregation increases rapidly as the number of component carriers grows, leading to challenges in scheduling and detecting downlink control information (DCI) messages.
Innovation Solution
A multi-tier resource allocation procedure is implemented, using joint DCI messages for coarse resource allocations and dedicated DCI messages for fine allocations, reducing signaling overhead and complexity by mapping these messages to control channels for user equipment (UE) in communications systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the number of component carriers is increased to support massive carrier aggregation, then the system bandwidth and capacity are improved, but the signaling overhead and complexity for resource allocation increase rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the resource allocation signaling into two distinct types: joint DCI messages that convey common resource allocation information applicable to multiple component carriers, and dedicated DCI messages that provide carrier-specific resource allocation details. This segmentation allows the system to scale to more component carriers without linearly increasing overall signaling complexity, as the joint message handles the bulk of common information efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint DCI message serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides resource allocation information for multiple component carriers, conveys common configuration parameters, and reduces redundant signaling. This multi-functionality allows a single message to replace what would otherwise require multiple separate signaling instances, thereby reducing overall signaling overhead as the number of component carriers increases.
2Measurement precision
If dedicated DCI messages are used for each component carrier, then resource allocation precision is improved, but the number of DCI messages and signaling overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments resource allocation precision requirements into two levels: common resource allocation handled by joint DCI messages for multiple carriers, and precise carrier-specific allocation handled by dedicated DCI messages. This segmentation ensures that high precision is provided only where necessary (carrier-specific allocations) while avoiding redundant precise signaling for common parameters across multiple carriers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges common resource allocation information across multiple component carriers into a single joint DCI message. This combining eliminates redundant transmission of identical or similar allocation information that would otherwise appear in multiple dedicated DCI messages, thereby reducing signaling overhead while maintaining the necessary precision through the complementary dedicated messages.
3Loss of information
If joint DCI messages are used for multiple component carriers, then signaling overhead is reduced, but the complexity of detecting and processing DCI messages increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments DCI detection into two distinct processes: detection of joint DCI messages for common resource allocation and detection of dedicated DCI messages for carrier-specific allocations. This segmentation allows the UE to process different types of DCI messages with appropriate complexity levels, avoiding the need to process a single overly complex message while still benefiting from the overhead reduction of joint signaling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic DCI detection strategy where the UE adapts its processing based on the type of DCI message received. Joint DCI messages are processed with algorithms optimized for common allocation patterns, while dedicated DCI messages trigger more detailed carrier-specific processing. This dynamic approach optimizes detection complexity based on the actual signaling content rather than preparing for the worst-case scenario for all messages.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for allocating network resources to user equipments (UEs) includes configuring a first group of component carriers with resource allocations indicated by a joint downlink control information (DCI) message, configuring a second group of component carriers with resource allocations for each component carrier indicated by a dedicated DCI message, generating the joint DCI message indicating first resource allocations for a first subset of the first group of component carriers, generating a plurality of dedicated DCI messages, wherein each dedicated DCI message indicates a second resource allocation for a component carrier in a second subset of the second group of component carriers, mapping each one of the joint DCI message and the plurality of dedicated DCI messages to a control channel, and sending the control channels to the UE.