PDCCH Search Space Mapping via Dynamic Payload Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication technologies, such as LTE and NR, face challenges in efficiently managing the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) downlink control information (DCI) search space, leading to increased complexity and reduced flexibility in handling varying payload sizes, which affects UE performance, especially at the edge of coverage.

Innovation Solution

The method involves allowing user equipment (UE) to search for PDCCH based on multiple payload sizes associated with different aggregation levels and offsets within a search space, dynamically adapting the search to match signal-to-noise ratios and reduce the number of decode attempts, thereby improving network performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If UE searches for PDCCH using fixed payload size mapping, then search space structure is simple, but flexibility in handling varying payload sizes is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in handling varying payload sizesVSAvoidsearch space structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic payload size mapping where the UE determines the payload size based on the aggregation level and offset values during PDCCH search. Instead of a fixed mapping, the system dynamically adapts the payload size according to the search parameters, allowing flexible handling of varying payload sizes while maintaining a structured search approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter mapping from fixed to variable by introducing aggregation level and offset as determining factors for payload size. The payload size is no longer fixed but varies based on the aggregation level and offset values, enabling the system to adapt to different payload requirements while following a systematic search methodology.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If UE performs multiple decode attempts for different aggregation levels, then PDCCH decoding reliability is improved, but the number of decode attempts increases complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePDCCH decoding reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of decode attempts
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by having the UE perform decode attempts only for specific aggregation levels and offsets that are relevant to the current search conditions. Instead of exhaustively trying all possible aggregation levels and offsets, the UE uses the determined payload size to guide the decoding process, performing only the necessary decode attempts to achieve reliable PDCCH reception.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the UE receives indication information about the intended aggregation level and offset values, which guides the decoding process. This feedback allows the UE to focus decode attempts on the most likely correct parameters, improving reliability while reducing the overall number of attempts needed compared to blind decoding of all possibilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If UE uses fixed search space configuration, then implementation is simple, but performance at edge of coverage is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUE performance at edge of coverageVSAvoidsearch space configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic search space configuration where the UE adapts its search parameters based on the aggregation level and offset values received in the downlink control information. This dynamic approach allows the UE to optimize its search strategy for different coverage conditions, improving performance at the edge of coverage while maintaining a manageable configuration structure through systematic parameter determination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3701658B1Techniques and apparatuses for physical downlink control channel downlink control information to search space mapping
Publication Date: 2022.10.19 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3701658B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3701658B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3701658B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

Certain aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment may identify a payload size, associated with performing a search for a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), wherein the payload size is identified based at least in part on an aggregation level, associated with performing the search for the PDCCH, or an offset associated with performing the search for the PDCCH; and perform the search for the PDCCH based at least in part on the payload size. Numerous other aspects are provided.