PDCCH Blind Decoding Capability Reporting for Carrier Aggregation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies lack efficient methods for user equipment (UE) to accurately report physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) blind decoding capabilities to networks, particularly in the context of 5G New Radio (NR) and LTE networks, which affects network resource allocation and communication efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The UE is equipped with a capability reporting engine to determine and transmit its PDCCH monitoring capabilities, including supported carrier aggregation (CA) numbers, span configurations, and reduced blind decoding capabilities to the network, using specific signaling protocols to enhance network resource management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the UE reports detailed PDCCH monitoring capabilities for multiple carrier aggregation scenarios, then network resource allocation accuracy is improved, but signaling overhead and reporting complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapability reporting accuracyVSAvoidreporting complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The capability reporting is segmented into multiple independent fields: first capability information for first radio access technology, second capability information for second radio access technology, and third capability information for carrier aggregation scenarios. This segmentation allows the network to receive and process different capability aspects separately, improving accuracy without overwhelming the signaling overhead with a single large complex structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimension of capability reporting by adding radio access technology type differentiation. Instead of a single flat capability report, the capabilities are organized across multiple dimensions: radio access technology type (first RAT, second RAT), carrier aggregation scenario, and monitoring capability level. This multi-dimensional organization improves precision while managing complexity through structured categorization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If the network allocates resources based on comprehensive UE capabilities, then communication efficiency is improved, but processing time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The UE performs capability determination and reporting in advance during the capability exchange phase, before actual data transmission begins. The network receives and stores the segmented capability information (first capability information, second capability information, third capability information) for future reference. This preliminary action allows both parties to have capability information ready beforehand, improving communication efficiency during actual data transfer while avoiding time-consuming processing during active communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the UE supports multiple radio access technologies with different capabilities, then adaptability is improved, but capability reporting complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-RAT supportVSAvoidcapability reporting structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing differentiated capability information for different radio access technology types. The first capability information specifically addresses first RAT characteristics, while second capability information addresses second RAT characteristics. Each capability set is optimized for its specific radio access technology context, allowing the UE to demonstrate adaptability to multiple RATs while keeping each individual capability report relatively simple and focused on technology-specific requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4133765B1Reporting physical downlink control channel blind decoding capabilities
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 APPLE INC
  • EP4133765B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4133765B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4133765B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A user equipment (UE) reports radio access capabilities to a network. The UE receives a request from a network for radio access capabilities of the UE, determining one or more radio access capabilities related to physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) blind decoding by the UE, generates a message that includes the one or more radio access capabilities of the UE and transmits the message to the network.