Multi-Carrier DCI Scheduling With Extended RBG Granularity

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Solution Overview

Problem

The Single DCI Multi-carrier PDSCH/PUSCH scheduling in 3GPP specifications faces challenges with increased DCI size due to fields configured for each carrier, limiting scheduling flexibility without easy reduction options.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves extending the granularity of resource block group allocation in frequency domain resource allocation based on a bitmap and interlacing, and determining a notification target cell based on specific downlink control information to reduce DCI size while maintaining scheduling flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If fields for each carrier configuration are included in DCI to enable Single DCI Multi-carrier PDSCH/PUSCH scheduling, then scheduling capability is improved, but DCI size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling capabilityVSAvoidDCI size
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The DCI fields are segmented into common fields (applicable to all carriers) and specific fields (applicable to individual carriers). The common fields include resource allocation information that can be shared across multiple carriers, while specific fields are only included when needed for particular carriers. This segmentation reduces the overall DCI size by avoiding redundant information while maintaining the ability to schedule multiple carriers with different configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The DCI structure is designed to be universal across multiple carriers by using a single DCI message that can schedule PDSCH/PUSCH on multiple component carriers simultaneously. The resource allocation fields are configured to accommodate different carrier characteristics while maintaining a unified DCI format, allowing the same DCI to serve multiple carriers with different bandwidths and configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Quantity of substance

If DCI size is reduced to address the above issue, then DCI overhead is decreased, but scheduling flexibility is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveDCI sizeVSAvoidscheduling flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The DCI structure incorporates dynamic field inclusion based on scheduling requirements. Certain fields are conditionally included or excluded from the DCI message depending on whether the carriers being scheduled have identical or different configurations. This dynamic approach allows the DCI size to adapt to the specific scheduling scenario, reducing overhead when possible while maintaining flexibility when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes in the resource allocation fields to accommodate different carrier configurations. By using configurable parameters such as resource block group (RBG) granularity and interlacing patterns, the DCI can represent diverse carrier characteristics using a compact set of fields. The resource allocation type (Type 0, Type 1, Type 2) can be changed based on the scheduling requirements to optimize the balance between DCI size and scheduling flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4668978A1Terminal and wireless base station
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 NTT DOCOMO INC
  • EP4668978A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4668978A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4668978A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A terminal receives a specific downlink control information for scheduling a channel to be transmitted on a plurality of carriers, and controls transmission or reception of the channel, based on the specific downlink control information. The terminal assumes that, in frequency domain resource allocation based on a bitmap, granularity to be applied to a resource block group is extended beyond granularity to be applied to a downlink control information other than the specific downlink control information.