Multi-Cell DCI Scheduling With Implicit NDI Signaling

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing DCI payload size increases significantly when scheduling multiple cells due to the inclusion of multiple explicit NDI fields, which compromises PDCCH capacity and performance.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a DCI message format that omits explicit NDI fields for at least one of the scheduled cells, using implicit NDI indications based on predefined rules or toggling, to reduce payload size and maintain system performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If explicit NDI fields are included for each scheduled cell in DCI messages, then accurate scheduling control is maintained, but DCI payload size increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescheduling control accuracyVSAvoidDCI payload size

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the NDI field from the DCI message structure for certain scheduled cells, removing it entirely while maintaining scheduling functionality through alternative mechanisms such as higher-layer signaling or implicit indications, thereby reducing payload size without completely losing the scheduling control capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the NDI field configuration flexible and cell-specific, allowing the DCI message to handle different cells with different requirements - some cells include explicit NDI fields while others use alternative mechanisms, enabling the system to adapt to various scheduling scenarios with optimized payload sizes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If DCI payload size is reduced by omitting NDI fields, then PDCCH capacity is enhanced, but scheduling control accuracy may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovePDCCH capacityVSAvoidscheduling control accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the scheduling control mechanism into multiple parts: explicit NDI fields for certain cells, implicit indications for other cells, and higher-layer signaling for configuration. This segmentation allows PDCCH capacity to be enhanced through selective omission while maintaining scheduling accuracy through the combined operation of multiple control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces higher-layer signaling and implicit indication mechanisms as intermediaries to compensate for the omitted explicit NDI fields, allowing scheduling control accuracy to be maintained through alternative information transfer paths when direct DCI field inclusion is not feasible

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12520327B2Data indicator for DCI scheduling multiple cells

Publication Date: 2026.01.06 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

A method of operating a network node in a wireless communication system includes configuring a downlink control information (DCI) message that schedules uplink or downlink communications with a user equipment (UE) in a plurality of serving cells. The DCI message does not include an explicit new data indicator (NDI) field for at least one of the serving cells scheduled by the DCI message. The network node transmits the DCI message to the UE. A method performed by a UE includes receiving a DCI message that schedules uplink or downlink communications in a plurality of serving cells. The DCI message does not include an explicit NDI field for a serving cell scheduled by the DCI message. In response, the UE determines an NDI value associated with scheduled communications for the serving cell or determines that the scheduled communications for the serving cell contains a new data transmission.