PDCCH Data-Region Resource Mapping for NTN Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of wireless communication systems with non-terrestrial networks (NTN) leads to coverage issues, particularly for physical downlink control channels (PDCCH), due to large propagation delays and satellite movement, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
Enhance PDCCH coverage by extending the duration of control resource sets (CORESET) to span more than three orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols and utilizing time-frequency resources from the data region for PDCCH transmission, along with increased aggregation levels and flexible REG formations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the CORESET duration is limited to three OFDM symbols as in traditional designs, then the control channel structure remains simple and compatible with existing standards, but the PDCCH coverage is insufficient for NTN environments with large propagation delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the CORESET duration flexible and configurable rather than fixed. The network can dynamically adjust the CORESET span (e.g., 2, 3, or more OFDM symbols) based on coverage requirements, allowing the system to adapt to different NTN scenarios while maintaining compatibility with traditional designs when appropriate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of CORESET duration from a fixed value (3 symbols) to a configurable parameter that can be adjusted based on propagation delay and coverage requirements. This allows optimization of PDCCH coverage for NTN by extending the time window for control channel transmission and reception.
2Reliability
If PDCCH is transmitted only in the control region occupying the first three OFDM symbols, then the control channel structure remains simple, but the coverage and robustness are insufficient for satellite communication with large propagation delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the PDCCH transmission duration dynamic by allowing the CORESET to span more than three OFDM symbols when needed for NTN coverage enhancement, while maintaining the traditional three-symbol structure for conventional scenarios, thus adapting the transmission time to specific operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the time duration parameter of PDCCH transmission from a fixed three-symbol limit to a flexible configuration that can extend into additional OFDM symbols, thereby increasing the transmission time window to accommodate large propagation delays in satellite communication.
3Reliability
If the CORESET is extended to span more than three OFDM symbols to improve coverage, then PDCCH coverage in NTN is enhanced, but the complexity of resource allocation and configuration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a multi-functional CORESET configuration that can operate in both traditional mode (3 symbols) and NTN-enhanced mode (more than 3 symbols) using the same basic framework. The network can select the appropriate configuration based on deployment scenario, making the system universally applicable to both terrestrial and satellite networks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamics to allow flexible configuration of CORESET span length, enabling the network to adapt the resource allocation complexity only when needed for NTN coverage enhancement, while maintaining simple three-symbol configurations for conventional scenarios, thus balancing complexity and performance.
4Reliability
If traditional PDCCH design with fixed three-symbol CORESET is used, then standard compatibility is maintained, but coverage performance in NTN with large propagation delays and satellite movement is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling the CORESET configuration to adapt between traditional and NTN-specific requirements. The network can dynamically configure the CORESET span to be greater than three symbols when operating in NTN mode, while maintaining three-symbol configurations for conventional LTE compatibility, thus achieving both standard compatibility and NTN adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves universality by creating a multi-functional PDCCH design that serves both traditional terrestrial networks and NTN scenarios. The same PDCCH framework supports both fixed three-symbol CORESET for legacy compatibility and extended multi-symbol CORESET for NTN coverage enhancement, making the system versatile across different deployment types.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in a data region. In some embodiments, there is provided a user equipment (UE), comprising: at least one antenna; at least one radio, configured to perform wireless communication using at least one radio access technology; and one or more processor coupled to the at least one radio, wherein the one or more processor are configured to case the UE to: determine configuration information of a time-frequency resource set (TFRS), located in a data region of a subframe, for conveying a PDCCH from a network (NW) device; and monitor for the PDCCH in the TFRS based on the determined configuration information of the TFRS. A first part of the configuration information of the TFRS may indicate Demodulation Reference Signals (DM-RSs) for the PDCCH are front-loaded.