PDCCH Small-Data Transmission With Dynamic Channel Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication technologies face inefficiencies in transmitting small data packets, particularly in scenarios where large amounts of resources are consumed due to the need for downlink control information, leading to inefficient use of device and network resources.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves dynamically determining whether to transmit small data packets in a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) or a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) based on the packet size, using indicators to differentiate between data and control information, thereby optimizing resource usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If data is transmitted in a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) with downlink control information, then data transmission can be performed, but resource consumption increases due to the overhead of control information

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource consumptionVSAvoidtransmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the transmission channel into two distinct paths: control channel (PDCCH) for small data packets and shared channel (PDSCH) for larger data transmissions. This segmentation allows the system to optimize resource usage by selecting the appropriate channel based on data size, thereby reducing unnecessary control information overhead while maintaining transmission reliability for both small and large data packets

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic channel selection where the transmitting device determines whether to use PDCCH or PDSCH based on real-time conditions including data size thresholds and channel conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to switch between transmission modes optimally, reducing resource consumption for small packets while ensuring reliability for larger transmissions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If small data packets are transmitted using traditional downlink shared channel methods, then data can be delivered, but device and network resources are inefficiently used

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource efficiencyVSAvoidresource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the transmission parameter by selecting different channels based on data size. For small data packets below a threshold, the system uses PDCCH with adjusted parameters (no separate DCI, direct data transmission), while for larger packets, it uses PDSCH with traditional DCI. This parameter change based on data size significantly improves resource efficiency for small transmissions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If data transmission uses downlink control information overhead, then control and data can be separated, but transmission complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission complexityVSAvoidtransmission flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the control channel (PDCCH) multi-functional by enabling it to carry both control information and small data packets. This universality allows the PDCCH to serve dual purposes: traditional control signaling and direct data transmission for small packets, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining flexibility through the dual-mode transmission capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3777334B1Transmitting data in a control channel
Publication Date: 2025.07.30 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3777334B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3777334B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3777334B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

Aspects of the disclosure relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may receive an indicator, in a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) payload, that indicates whether the PDCCH payload includes data or downlink control information (DCI) for obtaining the data, wherein the indicator is an initial state of a cyclic redundancy check that includes a predefined sequence of bits; and obtain at least one of the data or the DCI based at least in part on the indicator. Numerous other aspects are provided.