PDCCH Search Space Group Switching for UE Monitoring Dormancy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in managing search space set groups for monitoring dormancy, leading to unnecessary power consumption and resource wastage in PDCCH monitoring.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of techniques for switching between different groups of search space sets, including dormant and non-dormant groups, to optimize PDCCH monitoring, thereby reducing unnecessary monitoring and conserving resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the UE continuously monitors PDCCH in all search space sets, then the reliability of downlink control information reception is improved, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePDCCH monitoring reliabilityVSAvoidUE power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the search space sets into two distinct groups: a first group for active PDCCH monitoring and a second group for dormant state. This segmentation allows the UE to selectively monitor only the first group of search space sets while ignoring the second group, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining reliable reception of downlink control information through the active monitoring group.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic switching capability between different search space set groups based on dormancy conditions. The UE can transition from monitoring all search space sets to monitoring only the first group when dormancy is detected, and switch back to full monitoring when activity is detected. This dynamic adjustment optimizes the balance between power consumption and reception reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the UE monitors all search space sets, then the completeness of control information acquisition is improved, but the processing resources are wasted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol information acquisition completenessVSAvoidprocessing resource efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and separates dormant search space sets from the active monitoring set. By identifying and excluding the second group of search space sets (marked as dormant) from processing, the UE avoids wasting processing resources on unnecessary monitoring while maintaining complete acquisition of relevant control information through the first group.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the monitoring parameter from 'all search space sets' to 'only first group of search space sets' based on dormancy conditions. This parameter change allows the UE to adjust its processing scope dynamically, improving resource efficiency while preserving the completeness of necessary control information acquisition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If the UE switches to dormant search space sets, then the power consumption is reduced, but the complexity of search space set management increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUE power consumptionVSAvoidsearch space set management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring and pre-marking search space sets as dormant or active before the UE needs to make monitoring decisions. The base station signals the dormancy status of search space sets in advance, allowing the UE to automatically switch between monitoring groups without complex real-time analysis, thus reducing management complexity while maintaining low power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4709008A2Search space set group switching for monitoring dormancy
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4709008A2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4709008A2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4709008A2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may switch from a first group of search space sets for monitoring a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) to an empty group of search space sets. The UE may refrain from monitoring the PDCCH based at least in part on switching to the empty group. In some aspects, the UE may switch from a first group of PDCCH search space sets to at least one dormant group of PDCCH search space sets identified in configuration information. The UE may also process one or more PDCCH search space sets of the at least one dormant group of PDCCH search space sets based at least in part on the received configuration information. Numerous other aspects are provided.