Multi-Cell DCI Overbooking Using Reference Cell Counting

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Solution Overview

Problem

The issue of overbooking in a primary cell becomes problematic with the introduction of multi-cell scheduling DCI formats, as the sum of PDCCH candidates and CCEs often exceeds the upper limits, leading to complexity and inefficiencies in blind detection and channel estimation.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that determine the allocation of PDCCH candidates based on whether the blind detection capability counting of the multi-cell scheduling DCI format is on the primary cell, allowing for flexible configuration and overbooking management to ensure compliance with upper limits, thereby reducing complexity and improving scheduling efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If overbooking is performed on USS and CSS in a primary cell, then the quantity of PDCCH candidates and CCEs can be increased to improve scheduling flexibility, but the sum exceeds the upper limit which increases blind detection complexity and channel estimation complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling flexibilityVSAvoidblind detection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the blind detection capability counting by introducing a reference cell concept. Instead of counting all PDCCH candidates across all cells on the primary cell, the counting is segmented to occur on a specific reference cell (which may be different from the primary cell). This segmentation allows the primary cell to perform overbooking while the reference cell maintains the upper limit constraint, thereby resolving the contradiction between scheduling flexibility and detection complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The reference cell acts as an intermediary between the primary cell's overbooking needs and the upper limit constraints. By introducing this intermediate entity, the system can allow the primary cell to exceed the PDCCH candidate and CCE limits (improving scheduling flexibility) while the reference cell enforces the limits (controlling detection complexity). This intermediary mechanism resolves the technical contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If overbooking is performed on USS and CSS in a primary cell, then the quantity of PDCCH candidates and CCEs can be increased to improve scheduling flexibility, but the sum exceeds the upper limit which increases channel estimation complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling flexibilityVSAvoidchannel estimation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the channel estimation burden by associating it with the reference cell rather than the primary cell. When the reference cell is different from the primary cell, the channel estimation for overbooked PDCCH candidates on the primary cell can be performed using the reference cell's resources, thereby reducing the channel estimation complexity on the primary cell while maintaining scheduling flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The reference cell serves as an intermediary that handles the channel estimation burden. By introducing this intermediate entity, the system can allow the primary cell to exceed the PDCCH candidate and CCE limits (improving scheduling flexibility) while the reference cell manages the channel estimation complexity through its own processing capabilities, thus resolving the contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multi-cell scheduling DCI format is introduced, then the scheduling capability is enhanced, but the overbooking management becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling capabilityVSAvoidoverbooking management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-service mechanism where each cell (primary cell and reference cell) independently manages its own PDCCH candidate and CCE counting according to the overbooking rules. This self-service approach simplifies the overall management complexity by distributing the decision-making logic to individual cells rather than requiring centralized coordination, thereby enhancing scheduling capability while keeping overbooking management complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of blind detection capability counting from being cell-agnostic to being reference-cell-specific. By introducing the reference cell parameter, the system can manage overbooking in a standardized manner across multiple cells. This parameter change provides a clear rule set for managing overbooking in multi-cell scheduling scenarios, reducing management complexity while enhancing scheduling capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4701307A1Communication method and communication apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4701307A1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(e)
  • EP4701307A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4701307A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

This application provides a communication method and a communication apparatus. The method includes: In a scenario of a multi-cell scheduling DCI format, a network device may determine whether a reference cell of the multi-cell scheduling DCI format is a primary cell, and may send the configuration to a terminal device. The terminal device may determine, depending on whether the reference cell of the multi-cell scheduling DCI format is a primary cell, whether to use overbooking processing. According to the method in this application, the network device can flexibly perform overbooking in the scenario of the multi-cell scheduling DCI format, and the terminal device can appropriately use overbooking processing in the scenario of the multi-cell scheduling DCI format.