PDCCH Elimination for MTC Resource Allocation in LTE

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing LTE communication systems are not optimized for low-cost machine type communication (MTC) devices, which require enhanced coverage and reduced power consumption, and are limited by the use of physical downlink control channels (PDCCH) that occupy resources needed for data transmission.

Innovation Solution

The elimination of the PDCCH in LTE systems for low-cost MTC devices, allowing for alternative lightweight control signaling and resource allocation methods, such as using the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) with pre-defined or semi-statically updated parameters, and a modified HARQ process to reduce signaling overhead.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If PDCCH is used for resource allocation signaling, then control signaling is provided, but resource utilization for data transmission is reduced and coverage is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidcoverage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the control signaling function from the PDCCH and relocates it to the PDSCH. By removing PDCCH resource allocation signaling, more resources are available for data transmission, while control information is carried in the data channel itself, achieving both improved resource utilization and maintained coverage through the more robust PDSCH

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges control signaling and data transmission by carrying resource allocation control information within the PDSCH data channel. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate PDCCH resources, improving overall resource utilization while maintaining reliable delivery through the combined channel

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If PDCCH is used for resource allocation signaling, then control signaling is provided, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcontrol signaling

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts control signaling from the power-intensive PDCCH and places it in the PDSCH, reducing the need for separate control channel monitoring and thereby lowering power consumption while preserving all necessary control information through the data channel

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If PDCCH is eliminated, then resource utilization improves, but alternative control signaling is needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidcontrol signaling

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the PDSCH universal by enabling it to carry both data and control signaling functions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate PDCCH infrastructure, improving resource utilization while actually reducing system complexity by consolidating channels rather than adding alternative control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10285168B2Systems and methods for elimination of PDCCH in resource allocation signaling for MTC devices

Publication Date: 2019.05.07 APPLE INC

AI summary

Systems and methods provide resource allocation signaling for low cost machine type communication (LC-MTC) devices with the elimination of the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in long term evolution (LTE) communication systems. Disclosed systems and methods provide alternative light-weight, efficient control signaling for resource allocation of LC-MTC devices.