Dynamic PDSCH-PDCCH Resource Sharing in New Radio Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current New Radio (NR) systems face challenges in efficiently managing physical downlink control and shared channels, particularly in achieving reliable real-time communication with low latency, and optimizing resource utilization for diverse applications like connected industrial plants and vehicular communications.

Innovation Solution

The system and method introduce dynamic and semi-static resource sharing between physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) and physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in NR systems, utilizing shortened transmission time intervals (sTTI) and designing the shortened physical downlink control channel (SPDCCH) search space to enhance performance, efficiency, and reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If dynamic and semi-static resource sharing between PDSCH and PDCCH is implemented, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic resource sharing between PDSCH and PDCCH by allowing the same time-frequency resources to be flexibly allocated to different channels based on real-time system conditions and service requirements. The base station can dynamically adjust the resource allocation through downlink control information (DCI), enabling the system to adapt to varying traffic patterns and service demands, thus improving resource utilization efficiency while managing complexity through standardized dynamic signaling procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates multi-functional resource blocks that can serve either as PDSCH or PDCCH resources depending on the scheduling decision. By designing a unified resource pool that both channels can access, the system eliminates the need for separate dedicated resource pools, thereby improving overall resource utilization. The complexity is managed through clear rules for resource sharing and standardized procedures for both base station and user equipment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of time

If shortened transmission time intervals (sTTI) are used, then latency is reduced, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovelatencyVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the transmission time interval into shorter segments (sTTI) that can be independently scheduled and processed. By segmenting the TTI into smaller time units, the system reduces the latency for both uplink and downlink transmissions. The processing complexity is managed through standardized segment handling procedures and efficient resource allocation algorithms that work at the sTTI granularity level

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent prepares and configures sTTI resources in advance through semi-static resource allocation, where resource patterns are pre-defined and configured via higher layer signaling. This preliminary configuration reduces the real-time processing burden during actual transmission, as the base station and user equipment already have the necessary resource information ready, thereby reducing latency without proportionally increasing processing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If SPDCCH search space is optimized for sTTI, then control channel performance is improved, but design complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol channel performanceVSAvoiddesign complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the SPDCCH search space specifically for sTTI operations by creating dedicated search space configurations that are tailored to the shorter time intervals. This includes defining specific monitoring occasions, aggregation levels, and resource element mappings that are optimized for sTTI characteristics. The design complexity is managed through standardized search space configuration templates and clear rules for search space determination, allowing improved control channel performance without excessive design complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3815445B1Downlink control channel design in new radio systems
Publication Date: 2024.03.13 APPLE INC
  • EP3815445B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3815445B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3815445B1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

An apparatus configured to be employed in a gNodeB associated with a new radio (NR) communication system that support resource sharing between NR physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) and NR physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a processing circuit configured to generate a PDSCH dynamic rate matching resource set configuration signal comprising information on one or more overlap resource sets, wherein each the one or more overlap resource sets comprises time-frequency resources on which any overlapping PDSCH may or may not be mapped, based on an indication provided within a PDSCH rate matching indicator signal. The apparatus further comprises a radio frequency (RF) interface, configured to provide the generated PDSCH dynamic rate matching resource set configuration signal, to an RF circuitry, for subsequent transmission to a user equipment (UE), in order to enable the UE to identify the one or more overlap resource sets.