PDCCH Skip Signaling With UE-Assisted DCI Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems, particularly in 5G NR, face inefficiencies in power consumption and resource utilization due to the need for UEs to monitor and decode multiple dedicated DCIs for PDCCH skipping, leading to increased interference and network capacity issues.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method where UEs receive a command to skip PDCCH monitoring for a period of time, transmit scheduling requests for PUSCH transmissions, and indicate PDCCH skipping at the end of data transmission, while network nodes transmit DCI to facilitate these actions, reducing the need for dedicated DCIs and minimizing power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If UEs monitor and decode multiple dedicated DCIs for PDCCH skipping, then PDCCH skipping functionality is achieved, but power consumption increases and network interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovePDCCH skipping functionalityVSAvoidpower consumption at UE

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple dedicated DCI messages into a single DCI message that carries both the PDCCH skipping command and the uplink grant. This merging eliminates the need for separate DCI messages, reducing the number of DCIs the UE must monitor and decode, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining both PDCCH skipping functionality and uplink scheduling capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The DCI message is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides PDCCH skipping commands, carries uplink grants for PUSCH transmissions, and enables scheduling requests. This multi-functional DCI structure eliminates the need for separate dedicated DCI messages for each function, reducing overall signaling overhead and power consumption at the UE

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If UEs monitor and decode multiple dedicated DCIs for PDCCH skipping, then PDCCH skipping functionality is achieved, but network interference and resource usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovePDCCH skipping functionalityVSAvoidnetwork interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple dedicated DCI messages into a single shared DCI message that is monitored on the common search space. This consolidation reduces the total number of DCI transmissions required in the network, thereby reducing network interference and resource usage while maintaining full PDCCH skipping functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of transmitting separate dedicated DCI messages to each UE, the patent uses a single DCI format that can be copied and applied by multiple UEs in the common search space. This approach reduces the number of unique DCI transmissions required across the network, lowering overall interference and resource consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Productivity

If UEs transmit scheduling requests during PDCCH skip period, then uplink data transmission is enabled, but PDCCH monitoring must be resumed interrupting the skip

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuplink data transmission capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption during SR transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates the uplink grant information directly into the DCI message that triggers PDCCH skipping, allowing the UE to prepare and transmit uplink data without needing to resume PDCCH monitoring. The UE can send scheduling requests and receive grants during the PDCCH skip period using the pre-configured resources, maintaining the power-saving state while enabling uplink transmissions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The UE is configured with pre-defined uplink resources and parameters that allow it to autonomously transmit scheduling requests and data during the PDCCH skip period without needing to monitor PDCCH for grants. This self-service capability enables uplink transmissions while maintaining the PDCCH skip state, avoiding the need to resume monitoring and thus reducing power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12538328B2UE-assisted dummy DCI usage reduction in PDCCH skip

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Apparatus, methods, and computer program products for wireless communication are provided. An example method may include receiving, from a network node, DCI including a command to skip monitoring for PDCCH for a period of time. The example method may further include transmitting, to the network node during the period of time, at least one SR to schedule at least one PUSCH transmission for uplink data transmission at the UE. The example method may further include monitoring and receiving at least one PDCCH transmission from the network node to schedule the at least one PUSCH transmission. The example method may further include transmitting, to the network node, the at least one PUSCH transmission. The example method may further include transmitting, at an end of the uplink data transmission, an indication to skip monitoring for the PDCCH in a last PUSCH transmission of the at least one PUSCH transmission.