Multicast DCI Field-Size Estimation for Blind Decoding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems face challenges in aligning higher layer configurations for multicast traffic, leading to different UEs receiving the same multicast DCI with varying assumptions about DCI sizes, resulting in failed blind decoding attempts.

Innovation Solution

A first device receives DCI for multicast traffic and determines field sizes based on parameters associated with the multicast traffic, such as carrier indicator and bandwidth part indicator fields, using RRC configurations to correctly decode the DCI.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If different UEs use their own higher layer configurations to estimate DCI field sizes, then each UE can independently decode DCI, but decoding failures occur due to size mismatches

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveDCI decoding success rateVSAvoidconfiguration alignment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies homogeneity by ensuring all UEs use the same higher layer configuration parameters (such as carrierIndicatorFields, bandwidthPartIndicatorFields, and other DCI field size parameters) to estimate DCI field sizes. This uniformity across different UEs eliminates the size mismatch problem that causes decoding failures, while maintaining independent decoding capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #33Homogeneity

2Reliability

If DCI field sizes are standardized across all UEs, then decoding alignment is achieved, but flexibility in handling different multicast scenarios is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveDCI decoding alignmentVSAvoidmulticast scenario flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses parameter changes by allowing the higher layer configuration parameters (carrierIndicatorFields, bandwidthPartIndicatorFields, etc.) to be dynamically adjusted based on specific multicast service requirements. These parameters can be configured differently for different multicast scenarios while maintaining consistency across all UEs participating in the same multicast service, thus achieving both alignment and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4138471B1Downlink size estimation for multicast traffic

Publication Date: 2025.09.17 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY

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AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure relates to estimating downlink size for a multicast traffic. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a first device receives (310) downlink control information (DCI) for a multicast traffic. The first device determines (320) field size(s) in the DCI based on one or more parameters which are associated with the field size estimation for the multicast traffic. The first device decodes (330) the DCI based on the determined field sizes(s). In this way, the DCI can be blindly decoded correctly.