NR Subframe Layout for Multi-Numerology Control Signaling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 5G NR systems face challenges in efficiently supporting multiple numerologies within a single carrier bandwidth, leading to increased UE power consumption and processing time due to excessive blind decoding of downlink control information (DCI) across different numerologies.
Innovation Solution
A subframe structure is proposed where DCI is transmitted using a predetermined subcarrier spacing different from the data symbols, allowing dynamic scheduling of numerologies without requiring UEs to decode multiple numerologies simultaneously, and using smaller FFT sizes for DCI reception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple numerologies are multiplexed within a single NR carrier bandwidth using FDM and/or TDM, then the system supports diverse service requirements and spectrum efficiency is improved, but the UE power consumption increases and processing time increases due to excessive blind decoding of DCI across different numerologies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control information transmission by assigning different DCI formats to different numerologies, allowing UEs to selectively decode only the DCI format corresponding to their configured numerology. This segmentation prevents UEs from performing blind decoding across all numerologies, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining support for multiple numerologies through targeted, efficient decoding processes.
2Productivity
If multiple numerologies are multiplexed within a single NR carrier bandwidth using FDM and/or TDM, then the system supports diverse service requirements and spectrum efficiency is improved, but the UE processing time increases due to excessive blind decoding of DCI across different numerologies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments DCI transmission by numerology-specific formats, enabling UEs to process only relevant control information for their configured numerology. This segmentation eliminates the need for extensive blind decoding across multiple numerologies, thereby reducing processing time while maintaining high spectrum efficiency through optimized, targeted decoding operations.
3Device complexity
If DCI is transmitted using the same subcarrier spacing as data symbols, then the scheduling is simplified, but the UE must decode multiple numerologies simultaneously which increases complexity and power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic DCI format selection based on numerology, where the network can dynamically indicate which DCI format is being transmitted. This dynamic approach allows UEs to adapt their decoding process to the actual transmission, avoiding the need to simultaneously decode multiple numerologies while maintaining flexible scheduling capabilities across different numerologies.
4Ease of operation
If DCI is transmitted using the same subcarrier spacing as data symbols, then the scheduling is simplified, but the UE decoding complexity increases due to need to decode multiple numerologies simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic DCI format indication that allows the network to signal which numerology-specific DCI format is being transmitted. This dynamic mechanism simplifies UE decoding by providing clear guidance on which format to decode, eliminating the need for complex simultaneous decoding of multiple numerologies while preserving scheduling flexibility through format-specific configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment is directed to a method comprising generating at least one symbol of a subframe for control information based on a first subcarrier spacing; generating at least one data symbol of the subframe based on a second subcarrier spacing; and transmitting the subframe comprising the at least one symbol for control information and at least one data symbol. Another embodiment is directed to a method comprising receiving a subframe comprising at least one symbol for control information and at least one data symbol; decoding the at least one symbol for control information based on a first subcarrier spacing; and obtaining from the decoded at least one symbol information regarding a second subcarrier spacing used on the at least one data symbol.