Multi-Cell Scheduling DCI Configuration Under DCI Size Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication technologies face challenges in efficiently managing multi-cell scheduling with downlink control information (DCI), including BD/CCE counting, DCI size limits, and overbooking/dropping procedures when multiple cells are scheduled simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
Implementing multi-cell scheduling DCI configurations that allow for flexible DCI formats, BD/CCE counting methods, and overbooking/dropping strategies to optimize communication across multiple cells, considering intra-band and inter-band carrier aggregation, and supporting both frequency ranges (FR1 and FR2).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multi-cell scheduling DCI is implemented to schedule multiple cells simultaneously, then communication efficiency is improved, but DCI size limits and UE complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the multi-cell scheduling DCI into multiple independent single-cell scheduling DCIs. Each DCI schedules resources for a specific cell independently, allowing the UE to process scheduling information in manageable units rather than handling a single complex multi-cell DCI structure. This segmentation reduces the overall complexity while maintaining the ability to schedule multiple cells simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension by implementing carrier indicator fields (CIF) and cell-specific DCI formats that allow a single DCI to reference multiple cells through additional dimensional parameters. This enables the DCI structure to encode multi-cell scheduling information without fundamentally increasing the base DCI complexity, as the additional cell information is added as optional fields rather than restructuring the entire DCI framework.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple DCI formats are supported for different cell configurations, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal DCI structure that can function for both single-cell and multi-cell scheduling scenarios. The base DCI format remains consistent across all cell configurations, with optional extensions and parameters that activate only when needed. This universal structure allows the same DCI framework to adapt to different carrier aggregation configurations without requiring completely separate DCI formats for each scenario.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic DCI formats where the structure and parameters of the DCI message adapt based on the specific scheduling requirements. The DCI can dynamically include or exclude certain fields depending on whether single-cell or multi-cell scheduling is being performed, and which specific cells are being scheduled. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain high versatility while avoiding the overhead of supporting all possible format variations simultaneously.
3Measurement precision
If BD/CCE counting is performed for each scheduled cell, then measurement precision is improved, but overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the BD/CCE counting mechanism across multiple cells by implementing a unified counting approach where the base DCI's BD/CCE resources are shared and coordinated across all scheduled cells. Rather than independently counting resources for each cell (which would multiply the overhead), the system combines the resource accounting, allowing a single DCI to efficiently allocate and track resources across multiple cells with a single coordinated counting process.
Data Source
AI summary
Described are approaches to multi-cell PUSCH/PDSCH scheduling with a single DCI (downlink control information) in a wireless communication system. In one approach, only one component carrier is configured with the multi-cell scheduling DCIs, with no DCI configured on the other component carriers. In a second approach, all of the component carriers can be configured with the multi-cell scheduling DCIs. In a third option, one component carrier is configured with multi-cell scheduling DCI only, while the other component carriers can be configured with the legacy single-cell scheduling DCIs. In a fourth option, one component carrier is configured with both multi-cell scheduling DCIs and the legacy single-cell scheduling DCIs, while the other component carriers can be configured with the legacy single-cell scheduling DCIs. In the fifth option, all the component carriers can be configured with both multi-cell scheduling DCIs and the legacy single-cell scheduling DCIs.