Dynamic PDCCH Aggregation Level Configuration for Wireless UEs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication technologies, such as LTE and NR, face limitations in efficiently configuring aggregation levels and physical downlink control channel candidates, leading to suboptimal radio resource usage and reduced throughput in downlink communications.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for user equipment to receive a first search space set from a base station, identify PDSCH schedule information, and configure based on the aggregation level and PDCCH candidate locations to explicitly identify a second search space set, allowing for flexible configuration of PDCCH communications and improved radio resource utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If fixed aggregation levels and PDCCH candidate locations are used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability and radio resource utilization efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability of PDCCH configurationVSAvoidcomplexity of PDCCH configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic aggregation level indication where the aggregation level is not fixed but indicated through DCI formats and search space configurations. The UE can adaptively determine aggregation levels based on received signaling, allowing the system to adjust PDCCH configuration dynamically according to channel conditions and traffic requirements, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of aggregation level from a fixed value to a dynamically indicated value through DCI formats. By introducing flexible aggregation level indication mechanisms and multiple search space set configurations, the system can adjust PDCCH parameters adaptively, improving radio resource utilization without significantly increasing UE complexity through standardized procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If multiple search space sets with different aggregation levels are configured, then radio resource utilization and throughput are improved, but device complexity and processing overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethroughput of downlink communicationVSAvoidcomplexity of search space configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the PDCCH search space into multiple search space sets, each with different aggregation levels and candidate locations. This segmentation allows the system to optimize resource allocation for different traffic types and channel conditions, improving throughput by enabling parallel monitoring of multiple search space sets with differentiated configurations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates universal search space set configurations that can serve multiple purposes. The same search space set structure can be used for different aggregation levels and different DCI formats, allowing the UE to monitor multiple PDCCH candidates efficiently. This multi-functionality approach improves throughput while controlling complexity through standardized, reusable configuration templates

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

Data Source

PatentEP3858036B1Configuring aggregation level and physical downlink control channel candidates at a user equipment
Publication Date: 2024.07.24 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3858036B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3858036B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3858036B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may receive a first search space set, and may identify, based at least in part on the first search space set, physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) schedule information included in a first physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) received from a base station (BS). The UE may identify, based at least in part on the PDSCH schedule information, a second search space set included in a PDSCH received from the BS. The second search space set may include information identifying an aggregation level (AL) and one or more PDCCH candidate locations that are associated with the AL. The UE may configure, based at least in part on the AL and the one or more PDCCH candidate locations, the UE to identify a second PDCCH transmitted from the BS. Numerous other aspects are provided.