Multi-Cell Scheduling via Cell Group Indicators
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G wireless communication systems, managing multiple carriers or cells increases complexity and overhead due to the need for terminals to monitor and decode multiple physical downlink control channels (PDCCHs), leading to increased signal processing and potential reception errors without efficient multi-cell scheduling methods.
Innovation Solution
A method for configuring and managing control information for multiple carriers or cells using a higher layer message that includes a table mapping cell groups and indicators, allowing for multi-cell scheduling control information to be transmitted and received efficiently, minimizing signal processing and enabling error identification through HARQ-ACK messages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cross-scheduling operation is performed for multiple carriers or cells, then scheduling flexibility is improved, but terminal complexity and control information overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides multiple carriers or cells into distinct cell groups, where each group is managed by a separate cell group indicator in the DCI. This segmentation allows the terminal to process scheduling information in manageable units rather than handling all carriers/cells individually, reducing terminal complexity while maintaining scheduling flexibility across multiple groups.
Solution Approach 2:
The cell group indicator field in the DCI serves multiple functions: it identifies which cell group the scheduling information applies to, enables cross-scheduling across different cell groups, and allows the same DCI structure to handle both self-scheduling and cross-scheduling scenarios. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control mechanisms for different scheduling types.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple PDCCHs are monitored for cross-scheduling, then scheduling coverage is improved, but signal processing complexity and overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines scheduling information for multiple carriers or cells into a single DCI message that includes a cell group indicator. Instead of monitoring separate PDCCHs for each carrier or cell, the terminal monitors PDCCHs carrying consolidated DCI that can schedule multiple cell groups simultaneously. This merging reduces the number of PDCCH monitoring operations and blind decoding attempts required.
Solution Approach 2:
The cell group indicator acts as an intermediary that links the DCI to the appropriate cell group(s). Rather than requiring separate control channels for each carrier or cell, the cell group indicator mediates the mapping between the consolidated scheduling information and the target carriers/cells, enabling efficient resource allocation across multiple cell groups through a single control message.
3Measurement precision
If self-scheduling is used for each carrier or cell, then control information accuracy is improved, but control information overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cell group indicator field in the DCI serves multiple functions: it identifies which cell group the scheduling information applies to, enables cross-scheduling across different cell groups, and allows the same DCI structure to handle both self-scheduling and cross-scheduling scenarios. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control mechanisms for different scheduling types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter representation by using a cell group indicator that can represent multiple carriers or cells through grouped indexing. Instead of requiring separate control information fields for each individual carrier or cell, the system uses parameter changes at the group level, reducing the total number of control information bits required while maintaining the ability to accurately address specific carriers or cells within each group.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of a base station may comprise: transmitting, to a terminal, a higher layer message including a first table mapping between cell groups and indicators each indicating the cell groups; transmitting, to the terminal, multi-cell scheduling control information; transmitting, to the terminal, data through multiple cells based on the higher layer message and the multi-cell scheduling control information; and receiving, from the terminal, a response message for the data transmitted through the multiple cells based on the multi-cell scheduling control information, wherein the multi-cell scheduling control information includes first information indicating one cell group at least among the cell groups and uplink resource allocation information.