PDCCH Search Space Activation for Lower Terminal Power Use

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increased complexity of processing in wireless terminals for high-performance wireless communications leads to higher power consumption, affecting user experience.

Innovation Solution

Implementing methods for wireless terminals and network nodes to manage physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) monitoring by defining and utilizing predefined control information to selectively monitor PDCCH candidates in specific search space sets, reducing unnecessary processing and power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If terminals monitor all PDCCH candidates in all search space sets to ensure reliable control information reception, then control channel reliability is improved, but terminal power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol channel reliabilityVSAvoidterminal power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the search space set configuration changeable through RRC signaling. The network can dynamically activate or deactivate specific search space sets based on scheduling needs, allowing the terminal to adapt its monitoring behavior. This resolves the contradiction by enabling reliable control reception when needed while reducing power consumption when full monitoring is not required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of search space set availability by introducing activation/deactivation states controlled by RRC signaling. By modifying which search space sets are active, the system adjusts the monitoring burden on terminals. This allows the terminal to balance between maintaining control channel reliability and reducing power consumption by only monitoring active search space sets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If terminals perform complex processing to meet high-performance transmission requirements, then transmission performance is improved, but terminal power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission performanceVSAvoidterminal power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by allowing terminals to process only a subset of configured search space sets at any given time. Through RRC activation/deactivation, terminals perform processing on only the necessary portion of search space sets required for current scheduling needs, rather than continuously processing all configured sets. This maintains transmission performance while reducing overall power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the network configures multiple search space sets for flexible scheduling, then scheduling flexibility is improved, but terminal processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescheduling flexibilityVSAvoidterminal processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by introducing activation/deactivation states for search space sets through RRC signaling. While the network maintains multiple configured search space sets for scheduling flexibility, only active sets require terminal processing. This dynamic control mechanism allows the network to adjust the number of active search space sets based on scheduling needs, maintaining flexibility while reducing terminal processing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If terminals monitor PDCCH candidates in inactive search space sets, then control information coverage is improved, but unnecessary processing occurs increasing power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol information coverageVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the extraction principle by separating active search space sets from inactive ones through RRC activation/deactivation signaling. Terminals extract and process only the active search space sets that contain relevant control information, while ignoring inactive sets. This ensures control information coverage is maintained for active sets while eliminating unnecessary processing of inactive sets, thereby reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS12621830B2Method for physical downlink control channel monitoring and related devices and systems

Publication Date: 2026.05.05 ZTE CORP

AI summary

A wireless communication method for use in a wireless terminal is disclosed. The method comprises receiving, from a wireless network node, predefined control information associated with at least one first kind of search space set in a plurality of search space sets for a scheduled cell, determining at least one physical downlink control channel, PDCCH, candidate corresponding to at least one of the plurality of search space sets based on the predefined control information for the scheduled cell, and monitoring the at least one PDCCH candidate in a scheduling cell, wherein the plurality of search space sets comprises at least one second kind of search space set.