PDCCH Candidate Allocation for Multi-Cell DCI Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems, specifically in the context of new radio (NR) systems, are limited in their ability to schedule physical downlink shared channels (PDSCHs) and physical uplink shared channels (PUSCHs) across multiple serving cells using a single downlink control information (DCI) message, leading to increased burden on terminal equipment for DCI monitoring, higher power consumption, and greater complexity.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a method and apparatus for a terminal equipment and a network device to allocate and monitor PDCCH candidates in a search space that schedules multiple serving cells using a single DCI, thereby determining which PDCCH candidates to monitor for detecting DCI across multiple cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If DCI schedules multiple serving cells, then scheduling efficiency is improved, but terminal equipment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the scheduling function by introducing a first indication information field that divides the multiple serving cells into different groups. Each group can be independently scheduled, allowing the terminal to process cells in manageable segments rather than as a single complex entity, thus reducing terminal equipment complexity while maintaining multi-cell scheduling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces first indication information as an intermediary mechanism between the DCI and the multiple serving cells. This intermediary carries first indication bits that map to different serving cell groups, enabling the terminal to interpret the scheduling intent without directly processing all multi-cell parameters simultaneously, thereby reducing complexity.
2Productivity
If DCI schedules multiple serving cells, then resource utilization is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables partial scheduling by allowing the first indication information to selectively indicate only the necessary serving cell groups that require scheduling in the current time unit. The terminal only needs to process and monitor the indicated groups rather than all configured serving cells, reducing power consumption while maintaining high resource utilization when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent supports periodic scheduling patterns where the first indication information can remain unchanged across multiple time units for stable traffic patterns. The terminal can enter low-power states between indication updates, reducing average power consumption while maintaining efficient resource utilization during active periods.
3Adaptability or versatility
If DCI schedules multiple serving cells, then scheduling flexibility is improved, but monitoring burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal first indication information structure that can flexibly indicate different combinations of serving cell groups through its bits. The same indication mechanism handles various scheduling scenarios (single cell, multiple cells, different groupings) uniformly, providing scheduling flexibility while simplifying terminal monitoring through a consistent interpretation rule rather than multiple specialized monitoring procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A data reception apparatus, applicable to a terminal equipment, includes: processor circuitry configured to allocate PDCCH candidates for a first search space, the first search space being used to schedule cells in a first set; and a transceiver configured to receive DCI in the first search space, the DCI being used to schedule at least two cells in the first set.