Multi-Cell PDCCH Scheduling With Reduced Control Overhead
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-cell scheduling in 5G communication systems faces high control overhead, which hampers efficient data transmission and reception.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method for receiving physical downlink control channels (PDCCHs) that schedules PDSCH or PUSCH transmissions across multiple cells with controlled overhead by determining the optimal number of PDCCH receptions based on a ratio of cells, using a DCI format to manage transmissions on groups of cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multi-cell scheduling is implemented to support more cells, then the coverage and capacity are improved, but the control overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the N2 cells into groups where each group can be scheduled by a separate DCI format. This segmentation allows the system to manage control overhead by organizing cells into manageable groups rather than requiring individual scheduling for each cell, thus resolving the contradiction between multi-cell support and control overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal DCI format that can schedule multiple cells simultaneously. The DCI format is designed to handle both single-cell and multi-cell scheduling scenarios, providing multi-functionality that reduces control overhead while maintaining adaptability across different scheduling requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of PDCCH receptions is increased to support more cells, then the scheduling flexibility is improved, but the processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic parameters including a variable M that determines the maximum number of cells that can be scheduled by a single DCI format. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt the processing complexity to the actual scheduling needs, providing flexibility while avoiding unnecessary processing overhead when fewer cells are being scheduled.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes key parameters such as the number of PDCCH receptions (calculated as N1 + N2/M), the group size M, and the DCI format structure to optimize the balance between scheduling flexibility and processing complexity. These parameter changes allow the system to scale according to actual deployment requirements.
3Measurement precision
If separate DCI formats are used for each cell to maintain simplicity, then the scheduling precision is improved, but the control overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple cell scheduling functions into a single DCI format structure. By combining the scheduling information for multiple cells (up to M cells) into one DCI format, the patent maintains scheduling precision through dedicated fields for each cell while reducing control overhead by eliminating the need for separate DCI formats for each cell.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a pre-5th generation (5G) or 5G communication system to be provided for supporting higher data rates beyond 4th generation (4G) communication system such as long term evolution (LTE). A method for receiving physical downlink control channels (PDCCHs) includes receiving information for a first group of N1 cells and for a second group of N2 cells, determining a total number of PDCCH receptions in a slot on a scheduling cell based on N1 and on a ratio of N2 over M, and receiving a number of PDCCHs in the slot on the scheduling cell that is not larger than the total number.