PDCCH Control Channel Element Distribution Across Carriers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication technologies, such as LTE and NR, face challenges in efficiently managing control channel elements (CCEs) and blind decode limits for the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), particularly in scenarios with multiple carriers and varying subcarrier spacings.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves distributing control channel elements (CCEs) and blind decodes (BDs) across multiple carriers based on their respective subcarrier spacings (SCSs) and span configurations, ensuring that the per-span capabilities of user equipment (UE) are met. This involves hard-splitting carriers by SCS and span configurations, and then soft-splitting CCEs and BDs within these groups to optimize distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If carriers are distributed across multiple carriers with different subcarrier spacings to improve scheduling flexibility, then scheduling flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments carriers into different groups based on subcarrier spacing (SCS) values. Each SCS group is handled independently with separate CCE and BD limit allocations. This segmentation allows the system to support multiple carriers with different SCS configurations while managing UE complexity by treating each group separately rather than as a monolithic system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allocating different maximum numbers of CCEs and blind decodes to different SCS groups based on their specific characteristics. Each SCS group receives resource allocations tailored to its monitoring capabilities and span configurations, rather than applying a uniform allocation across all carriers. This localized optimization resolves the contradiction by adapting resources to local requirements.
2Reliability
If per-span capabilities of user equipment are strictly enforced to ensure conformance with UE capabilities, then reliability is improved, but scheduling flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustment mechanisms that allow the network to adapt CCE and BD limit allocations based on actual UE capabilities and current scheduling requirements. The system dynamically determines effective numbers of carriers and adjusts distributions in real-time, enabling it to maintain conformance with UE capabilities while preserving scheduling flexibility through adaptive resource management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes key parameters such as the maximum numbers of CCEs and blind decodes allocated to different SCS groups based on UE monitoring capabilities and span configurations. By adjusting these parameters dynamically rather than fixing them statically, the system ensures conformance with UE capabilities while maintaining scheduling flexibility across diverse carrier configurations.
3Productivity
If hard-splitting and soft-splitting methods are applied to distribute CCEs and BDs to optimize distribution, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a two-stage distribution approach: hard-splitting that divides carriers into discrete SCS groups, and soft-splitting that optimizes CCE and BD allocations within each group. This segmented approach improves productivity by systematically optimizing distribution while containing complexity through hierarchical processing rather than attempting global optimization across all carriers simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by first hard-splitting carriers into SCS groups before conducting soft-splitting optimizations. This preliminary segmentation prepares the system for more efficient subsequent optimization steps, improving overall distribution productivity while managing complexity through a structured multi-phase process rather than a single complex optimization step.
Data Source
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AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may receive configuration information for a plurality of carriers, wherein a number of carriers, of the plurality of carriers, exceeds a threshold associated with a monitoring capability of the UE, wherein the monitoring capability is for span-based monitoring of the plurality of carriers, wherein a distribution of at least one of a plurality of non-overlapped control channel elements (CCEs) or a plurality of blind decodes satisfies a per-span capability of the UE, wherein the distribution is among a plurality of sets of carriers, and wherein each set of carriers of the plurality of sets of carriers is associated with a respective subcarrier spacing and a respective span configuration. The UE may receive communications on the plurality of carriers in accordance with the distribution. Numerous other aspects are described.