Multicarrier DCI Scheduling for Lower Signaling Overhead

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing design of using one piece of DCI to schedule multiple cells or CCs in a communications system leads to large overheads of downlink control signaling and increased complexity in detecting control signaling due to the need for multiple DCIs to manage semi-persistent configurations across multiple carriers.

Innovation Solution

A multicarrier scheduling method and apparatus that uses a single DCI to simultaneously schedule semi-persistent and dynamic configurations across multiple carriers, reducing the need for multiple DCIs and thus minimizing control signaling overheads and complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If one piece of DCI is used to schedule multiple cells or CCs, then downlink control signaling overhead is reduced, but the complexity of detecting control signaling increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedownlink control signaling overheadVSAvoidcomplexity of detecting control signaling

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the scheduling function by introducing two distinct DCI types: Type 1 DCI for semi-persistent scheduling and Type 2 DCI for dynamic scheduling. This segmentation allows the UE to process different scheduling modes separately, reducing detection complexity while maintaining low overhead through efficient resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic switching between semi-persistent and dynamic scheduling modes. The network can flexibly select which DCI type to send based on current traffic conditions and UE capabilities, allowing the system to adapt between overhead reduction (semi-persistent) and flexibility (dynamic) as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple pieces of DCI are used to schedule semi-persistent configurations on multiple CCs, then scheduling flexibility is improved, but downlink control signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescheduling flexibilityVSAvoiddownlink control signaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple scheduling functions into a unified framework where a single DCI can schedule multiple carriers. The DCI includes carrier indication fields that allow one piece of DCI to reference multiple CCs, combining the benefits of multiple schedules while avoiding the overhead of multiple separate DCIs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The DCI structure is designed with multi-functionality to handle both semi-persistent and dynamic scheduling across multiple carriers. The universal DCI format includes flexible fields that can indicate different carriers, different scheduling types, and different resource allocations, allowing one DCI to perform multiple scheduling functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12439420B2Multicarrier scheduling method and apparatus, and device

Publication Date: 2025.10.07 VIVO MOBILE COMM CO LTD

AI summary

A multicarrier scheduling method and apparatus, and a device, are provided. The method includes: receiving DCI sent by a network device, where the DCI is used to indicate to schedule semi-persistent configurations on M carriers, or indicate to schedule semi-persistent configurations on X carriers and schedule dynamic configurations on Y carriers, and the M carriers, the X carriers, and the Y carriers are all carriers in N carriers on which the DCI supports scheduling; and both M and N are integers greater than or equal to 2, both X and Y are positive integers, M is less than or equal to N, and a sum of X and Y is less than or equal to N.