PDCCH Decoding Order Based on DCI Aggregation Probability

Solution Overview

Problem

The traditional linear search method for decoding downlink control information (DCI) in wireless communication systems is inefficient, leading to increased power consumption, resource usage, and latency, particularly in scenarios with varying signal-to-noise ratios and fading conditions, which can impact devices requiring real-time processing.

Innovation Solution

A method that determines the probability of DCI presence at different aggregation levels based on packet error rate (PER), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), fading measurements, and reception history to prioritize decoding efforts, reducing latency by decoding CCEs in an order reflective of these probabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a brute-force linear search method is used to decode DCI, then the decoding process is simple to implement, but the latency and power consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecoding simplicityVSAvoidDCI detection latency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating and storing PER thresholds for different aggregation levels, and maintaining reception history statistics. This allows the terminal to quickly determine the most likely aggregation level without performing exhaustive search, thereby reducing latency while maintaining decoding reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The decoding strategy dynamically adapts based on reception history and current channel conditions. The terminal adjusts the search order and aggregation level selection based on accumulated statistics from previous receptions, making the decoding process adaptive rather than static, which optimizes both speed and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If a brute-force linear search method is used to decode DCI, then the implementation is straightforward, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecoding simplicityVSAvoidterminal power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating and storing PER thresholds for different aggregation levels, and maintaining reception history statistics. This allows the terminal to quickly determine the most likely aggregation level without performing exhaustive search, thereby reducing latency while maintaining decoding reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The decoding strategy dynamically adapts based on reception history and current channel conditions. The terminal adjusts the search order and aggregation level selection based on accumulated statistics from previous receptions, making the decoding process adaptive rather than static, which optimizes both speed and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If traditional linear search is used for DCI decoding, then the method is easy to implement, but resource usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecoding simplicityVSAvoiddecoding resources

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating and storing PER thresholds for different aggregation levels, and maintaining reception history statistics. This allows the terminal to quickly determine the most likely aggregation level without performing exhaustive search, thereby reducing latency while maintaining decoding reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The decoding strategy dynamically adapts based on reception history and current channel conditions. The terminal adjusts the search order and aggregation level selection based on accumulated statistics from previous receptions, making the decoding process adaptive rather than static, which optimizes both speed and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12563564B2Latency reducing techniques for control channel decoding

Publication Date: 2026.02.24 GREATER SHINE LTD

AI summary

Introduced here are techniques for reducing the latency at a terminal device. In particular, for reducing the latency of detecting the downlink control information (DCI) in a downlink signal such as the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) signal. The techniques include determining a probability of each aggregation level of the control channel elements (CCE) in a signal carrying the DCI. The probability can be based on the packet error rate (PER) of the signal. The PER can vary based on factors such as the signal to noise ratio (SNR) and/or the fading measurements. Further, the probability can depend on the reception history of the terminal device. Based on these factors, the terminal device can decode the CCEs in an order indicative of the probability of the corresponding aggregation levels carrying the DCI.