PDCCH Precoding Granularity for URLLC Reliability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication systems, particularly in 5G, face challenges in applying precoding effectively to the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) to achieve high reliability and low latency, especially in scenarios requiring Ultra Reliable and Low Latency Communications (URLLC), due to the lack of comprehensive methods for configuring precoding granularity in the time domain.

Innovation Solution

A base station and terminal configuration that identifies and applies precoding granularity to PDCCH signals across different time resources, enabling appropriate precoding for improved channel estimation and reception performance by configuring the precoding granularity based on the specific reception environment and channel conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If precoding is applied to PDCCH to improve channel estimation accuracy and reception performance, then reliability is improved, but the complexity of configuring and managing precoding granularity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovePDCCH reception reliabilityVSAvoidprecoding configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the PDCCH transmission resources into multiple granularities (e.g., physical resource block granularity, resource element granularity) and applies precoding independently to each segment. This allows flexible configuration where precoding can be applied at different levels of detail depending on channel conditions and reliability requirements, improving reception reliability while managing configuration complexity through hierarchical segmentation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic precoding granularity configuration that can adapt to changing channel conditions, traffic types, and reliability requirements. The system can dynamically adjust the precoding granularity level and switching between different precoding schemes based on real-time feedback and channel state information, allowing the network to optimize PDCCH reception reliability under varying conditions without fixed complex configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If precoding granularity is configured for multiple control channels in different time resources, then channel estimation accuracy is improved, but the signaling overhead and configuration complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel estimation accuracyVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by configuring precoding granularity specifically for PDCCH channels where it is most needed, rather than uniformly across all channels. Different precoding granularity levels are applied to different control channels based on their specific requirements, allowing improved channel estimation accuracy for critical channels while avoiding unnecessary configuration overhead for channels with less stringent requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial precoding granularity configuration by applying precoding only to the extent necessary for achieving reliable PDCCH reception. Instead of configuring precoding granularity for all possible parameters and channels, the system applies precoding selectively based on channel conditions, traffic type, and reliability requirements, reducing signaling overhead while maintaining sufficient channel estimation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Device complexity

If the same precoding is used over longer periods, then configuration complexity is reduced, but channel estimation accuracy deteriorates due to channel variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecoding configuration complexityVSAvoidchannel estimation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic precoding updates where the precoding granularity configuration is refreshed at regular intervals or based on channel condition thresholds. This periodic action ensures that precoding remains aligned with current channel conditions, maintaining channel estimation accuracy while using systematic periodic updates rather than continuous complex configuration management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the receiver provides channel quality information and precoding effectiveness feedback to the transmitter. Based on this feedback, the precoding granularity configuration is adjusted to maintain optimal channel estimation accuracy. The feedback loop allows the system to extend precoding periods when conditions are stable while reducing periods when channel variations degrade estimation accuracy, balancing complexity and performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11476906B2Base station, terminal, and communication method

Publication Date: 2022.10.18 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORP OF AMERICA

AI summary

Provided is a base station capable of appropriately applying precoding to a PDCCH. At the base station (100), a precoding control unit (105) sets a precoding granularity, which indicates a period in which the same precoding is used, to multiple control channels respectively disposed in different time resources. A transmission unit (108) transmits signals of the multiple control channels to a terminal (200) on the basis of the set precoding granularity.