PDSCH Scheduling via Single DCI to Reduce Signaling Overhead

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems, particularly in new radio (NR) systems, face challenges in efficiently scheduling physical downlink shared channels (PDSCH) for high-throughput applications like virtual reality and non-terrestrial communications, leading to excessive signaling overhead due to the need for multiple DCIs for consecutive PDSCH transmissions.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that configures user equipment (UE) with information for determining slots associated with PDSCH based on physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) slots or time-domain resource assignment (TDRA) tables, reducing signaling overhead and enhancing communication reliability through hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ-ACK) codebook design for multiple PDSCH scheduling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the network schedules multiple consecutive PDSCH transmissions using separate DCI formats according to Re1.15 or Re1.16 specifications, then each PDSCH can be individually scheduled with proper resource allocation, but the signaling overhead increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIndividual PDSCH scheduling capabilityVSAvoidSignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple PDSCH scheduling operations into a single DCI format by introducing a PDSCH repetition indicator field that can schedule up to 4 consecutive PDSCH transmissions. This combining approach reduces the number of separate DCI messages needed, thereby reducing signaling overhead while maintaining individual scheduling capability through the repetition indicator and associated parameters like PDSCH aggregation factor and time domain resource allocation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The DCI format is enhanced with multi-functionality to handle both single and multiple PDSCH transmissions. The PDSCH repetition indicator field and related parameters enable the same DCI structure to serve multiple scheduling purposes, making the scheduling mechanism universal rather than requiring separate specialized DCI formats for each transmission scenario

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of information

If the network uses a single DCI format to schedule multiple PDSCH transmissions, then signaling overhead is reduced, but the complexity of determining associated slots and HARQ-ACK timing increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSignaling overheadVSAvoidSlot determination complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring TDRA tables with multiple row indices that correspond to different PDSCH transmission occasions. The UE uses these pre-defined table rows to determine slot allocations and HARQ-ACK timing without complex real-time calculations. The PDSCH aggregation factor and repetition indicator are used to select from pre-prepared resource allocation patterns, simplifying the determination process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces TDRA tables as an intermediary structure that mediates between the simplified single DCI format and the complex slot determination requirements. The tables store pre-computed time domain resource allocations and HARQ-ACK timing information, allowing the UE to determine associated slots through table lookup rather than complex calculation, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining accurate scheduling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If conventional PDSCH scheduling is used for high-throughput applications like VR/AR, then basic communication requirements are met, but the system cannot efficiently handle consecutive PDSCH receptions in multiple slots

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCommunication efficiency for high-throughput applicationsVSAvoidNumber of DCI messages

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes key scheduling parameters to enable efficient high-throughput communication. The PDSCH aggregation factor parameter allows configuring the number of consecutive PDSCH transmissions (1-4), while the PDSCH repetition indicator and time domain resource allocation parameters enable flexible timing adjustments. These parameter changes allow the system to adapt to high-throughput application requirements without increasing DCI message count

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20240089965A1Wireless communication method, user equipment, and base station

Publication Date: 2024.03.14 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD

AI summary

A wireless communication method, a user equipment (UE), and a base station are provided. The wireless communication method includes being configured, by a base station, with a first information for a serving cell and determining one or more slots associated with a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) based on the first information, wherein the first information comprises at least one of a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) slot, M K1 candidate values, or a time-domain resource assignment (TDRA) table, where M and K1 are integers.