Multi-slot PDCCH Monitoring for 5G NR Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing complexity of wireless systems, particularly in new radio (NR) systems, poses challenges in efficiently monitoring physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) transmissions due to higher subcarrier spacing, leading to reduced UE processing capability and increased power consumption, which limits scheduling flexibility and monitoring capabilities.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a multi-slot PDCCH monitoring capability, where UEs monitor PDCCH candidates across multiple slots rather than every slot, allowing for reduced blind decodings and control channel elements, thereby optimizing power usage and enhancing gNB scheduling flexibility by configuring search space sets within specific slot groups.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If UEs monitor PDCCH candidates in every slot, then scheduling flexibility and monitoring capability are improved, but power consumption increases and processing capability is exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-slot PDCCH monitoring where UEs monitor PDCCH candidates periodically across multiple slots rather than in every slot. This is achieved by configuring search space sets with specific monitoring periodicities and offsets, allowing UEs to wake up at predetermined intervals to monitor for downlink control information while remaining in a low-power state during non-monitoring slots, thus reducing overall power consumption while maintaining scheduling flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic monitoring configurations where the gNB can adjust search space set parameters including monitoring periodicity, offset, and duration based on traffic conditions and UE capabilities. This allows the system to adapt monitoring intensity dynamically - increasing monitoring frequency when scheduling flexibility is needed and reducing it during low-activity periods to conserve UE power
2Reliability
If UEs monitor PDCCH candidates in every slot, then monitoring capability is improved, but UE processing capability is exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the monitoring task across multiple slots by configuring search space sets that span multiple slots with defined monitoring occasions. Instead of requiring full monitoring capability in every slot, the UE processes a subset of PDCCH candidates distributed across multiple slots, reducing per-slot processing complexity while maintaining overall monitoring reliability through the aggregated monitoring window
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial monitoring by allowing UEs to monitor only a subset of configured search space sets or only certain monitoring occasions within configured slots. This partial action approach reduces processing burden on UEs with limited capabilities while still providing sufficient monitoring coverage for reliable operation, with the option to increase monitoring intensity when needed
3Use of energy by moving object
If multi-slot PDCCH monitoring is implemented, then power consumption is reduced, but monitoring frequency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses preliminary action by pre-configuring search space sets with specific monitoring periodicities, offsets, and durations before UE operation begins. These pre-configured parameters establish predetermined monitoring patterns that reduce the need for real-time decisions, allowing UEs to efficiently determine when to monitor based on pre-calculated timing information, thus reducing power consumption while maintaining appropriate monitoring frequency for the given traffic conditions
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and system of physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) monitoring above 52.6 GHz using a multi-slot PDCCH monitoring capability are described. The PDCCH monitoring capability has a group of X consecutive non-overlapping slots. A first group of search space (SS) sets are monitored within Y consecutive slots within a slot group. The location of the Y slots within a slot group is maintained across different slot groups. The first group of SS sets include a UE specific SS (USS) set, a Type3 CSS set and/or a Type 1 CSS set with dedicated RRC configuration.