Multi-Cell PDCCH Scheduling Through a Representative Cell
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing next-generation communication systems, such as NR, require efficient resource allocation and network flexibility for communication using multiple cells, but conventional methods like cross-carrier scheduling are inadequate.
Innovation Solution
A method where a base station transmits scheduling information through a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) to a user equipment (UE) using a specific cell, allowing the UE to identify scheduling for a cell group and receive physical downlink shared channels (PDSCHs) based on downlink control information (DCI), thereby optimizing resource use and network flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cross-carrier scheduling is used for multi-cell communication, then resource allocation flexibility is improved, but system complexity and implementation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cell group monitoring task by introducing a representative cell concept. Instead of monitoring all cells individually, the UE segments the monitoring burden by focusing on PDCCH transmissions from the representative cell for cell group-level scheduling decisions, while still maintaining the ability to receive PDSCH from multiple cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The representative cell serves multiple functions: it acts as the primary scheduling source for the cell group, provides reference for DCI format interpretation, and enables unified scheduling control across multiple cells. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity while maintaining flexibility.
2Measurement precision
If scheduling is performed on individual cells, then control precision is improved, but resource overhead and signaling complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges scheduling control at the cell group level by using a single representative cell to convey scheduling information applicable to multiple cells. This consolidation reduces the quantity of scheduling messages and DCI transmissions required, thereby reducing resource overhead while maintaining adequate control precision through cell group-level coordination.
3Reliability
If PDCCH monitoring is performed on all cells, then scheduling reliability is improved, but processing load and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential scheduling function from all cells and concentrates it in the representative cell. The UE takes out the PDCCH monitoring task from multiple cells and performs it selectively on the representative cell, significantly reducing processing load and power consumption while maintaining scheduling reliability through the representative cell's coordinated control.
4Productivity
If cell group scheduling is implemented, then resource efficiency is improved, but identification accuracy and scheduling flexibility may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The representative cell acts as an intermediary between cell group-level scheduling decisions and individual cell PDSCH receptions. It mediates the translation of cell group scheduling intent into specific cell-level execution, maintaining identification accuracy by providing clear reference signals and DCI formats that map cell group decisions to individual cell actions.
Data Source
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AI summary
An operating method of a user equipment (UE) includes receiving a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) from a base station (BS), wherein the PDCCH corresponds to a cell group including a plurality of cells, and wherein the PDCCH is received through a certain cell of the cell group; acquiring downlink control information (DCI) from the PDCCH, identifying whether scheduling has been performed on the cell group based on the DCI, and receiving physical downlink shared channels (PDSCHs) from the base station (BS) based on the DCI, wherein the PDSCHs correspond to the cell group and are received through the plurality of cells.