PDCCH CORESET Overlap for Mixed UE Category Coexistence

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, configuring separate control resource sets (CORESETs) for UEs with different capabilities leads to resource wastage and increased interference due to independent monitoring and interleaving of physical downlink control channels (PDCCHs), particularly between premium and low-tier UEs.

Innovation Solution

Configuring CORESETs for premium and low-tier UEs with overlapping frequency domain resources, allowing shared PDCCH communication and reducing interference by aligning resource element groups (REGs) for both categories, thereby enabling efficient use of network resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate CORESETs are configured for premium and low-tier UEs with independent frequency domain resources, then each UE category can be served independently, but network resources are wasted and PDCCH interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIndependent service capability for different UE categoriesVSAvoidNetwork resource wastage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the frequency domain resources of separate CORESETs by making the second CORESET's frequency domain allocation a subset of the first CORESET's allocation. This allows both premium and low-tier UEs to share the same time-frequency resources for PDCCH monitoring, eliminating resource wastage while maintaining independent service capability through subset-based resource sharing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The first CORESET is configured to serve dual purposes: it provides control resources for both premium UEs (full frequency allocation) and low-tier UEs (subset frequency allocation). This universal CORESET design eliminates the need for completely separate resource allocations, reducing overall network resource consumption while maintaining adaptability to different UE categories.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate CORESETs are configured for premium and low-tier UEs with independent monitoring, then each UE category receives dedicated control channels, but PDCCH interference and blocking increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveDedicated control channel for each UE categoryVSAvoidPDCCH interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the frequency domain allocations such that the second CORESET operates within the subset of the first CORESET's frequency resources, the patent enables both UE categories to monitor PDCCH on overlapping resources. This merging approach reduces interference through resource alignment and enables interference coordination between different UE categories.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by allowing different UE categories to access different portions (quality levels) of the same frequency resources. Premium UEs utilize the full first CORESET frequency allocation, while low-tier UEs utilize a subset, creating localized resource quality differentiation that reduces overall interference while maintaining dedicated service capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate CORESETs are configured for different UE categories, then independent resource allocation is achieved, but device complexity and configuration overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIndependent resource allocation capabilityVSAvoidCORESET configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the configuration management by having the second CORESET inherit frequency domain parameters from the first CORESET through subset relationships. This reduces configuration complexity as the second CORESET does not require fully independent frequency allocation parameters, while still maintaining independent resource allocation capability through the subset definition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12532302B2Physical downlink control channel coexistence for different user equipment categories

Publication Date: 2026.01.20 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may receive a configuration that indicates a first control resource set (CORESET) configured for a first category of UEs and a second CORESET configured for a second category of UEs with which the UE is associated, wherein the first CORESET has a first frequency domain resource allocation, and wherein the second CORESET overlaps in time with the first CORESET and has a second frequency domain resource allocation that is a subset of the first frequency domain resource allocation. The UE may monitor for a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) candidate based at least in part on a determination that the PDCCH candidate is fully contained within the second frequency domain resource allocation. Numerous other aspects are provided.