Overlapping PDCCH and SPS PDSCH Resource Handling in NR

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems face performance degradation due to overlapping resources for physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) and downlink semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) in New Radio (NR), leading to inefficiencies and resource conflicts.

Innovation Solution

A method for configuring communication devices and radio access network nodes to manage overlapping PDCCH and SPS resources by rate-matching PDSCH around PDCCH resources, allowing flexible transmission of both PDCCH and PDSCH, and prioritizing based on priority and latency requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If PDCCH and SPS PDSCH resources are configured to overlap in time-domain, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but system performance deteriorates due to resource conflicts and interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidsystem performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making the PDSCH resource allocation flexible and adaptive to local conditions. Specifically, the PDSCH is rate-matched around the PDCCH resources dynamically determined through monitoring and decoding, rather than using a fixed uniform allocation. This allows the system to optimize resource usage in specific time-frequency locations while maintaining reliable control channel operation where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the PDSCH resource allocation dynamic rather than static. The UE monitors PDCCH candidates on configured resources and only determines the actual PDCCH resources after successful decoding. The PDSCH is then rate-matched around these dynamically determined PDCCH resources, allowing the system to adapt resource allocation based on actual control channel needs in each transmission occasion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If PDCCH monitoring resources are increased to ensure reliable control information reception, then control channel reliability is improved, but resource overhead increases and conflicts with data resources

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol channel reliabilityVSAvoidresource overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by making the UE autonomously determine the actual PDCCH resources through monitoring and decoding operations. Instead of the network explicitly signaling PDCCH resource locations, the UE independently identifies which configured PDCCH candidates are actually used by attempting decoding and checking for successful reception. This self-determined information is then used to appropriately allocate PDSCH resources, avoiding both excessive overhead and resource conflicts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of energy

If SPS PDSCH transmission is used to reduce control signaling overhead, then signaling efficiency is improved, but flexibility to handle dynamic control requirements is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol signaling overheadVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the PDCCH monitoring and decoding process serves as a mediator between the SPS PDSCH transmission and dynamic control requirements. The SPS PDSCH provides the baseline efficient transmission with reduced signaling, while the PDCCH monitoring acts as an intermediary that detects when dynamic control information is needed. When PDCCH is successfully decoded, it indicates dynamic scheduling requirements, and the PDSCH is accordingly rate-matched around the PDCCH resources, thus adapting the SPS transmission to dynamic needs without requiring continuous control signaling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12538318B2Methods providing downlink control information and downlink data using overlapping resources and related communication devices and radio access network nodes

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

A method of operating a communication device in a communication network is provided. The communication device is configured with resources for monitoring physical downlink channel, PDCCH, candidates, where the resources at least in part overlaps with resources configured for semi-persistent scheduling, SPS, of a physical downlink shared channel, PDSCH. The method includes monitoring PDCCH candidates on the configured PDCCH resources. If a PDCCH is successfully decoded for the configured PDCCH resources, the method includes decoding a PDSCH, on the resources configured for SPS PDSCH, where the PDSCH is rate-matched around the PDCCH resource according to the PDCCH decoding. If a PDCCH is not successfully decoded, the method includes decoding PDSCH on the resources configured for SPS PDSCH. There is also presented a communication device, a radio access network node and a method therefore.