Multi-Cell PDSCH Scheduling via Single DCI with Configurable Time Offsets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3GPP specifications limit scheduling flexibility for physical downlink shared channels (PDSCH) across multiple cells, restricting simultaneous scheduling with a single downlink control information (DCI) and imposing rigid processing time requirements that hinder efficient multi-cell scenarios, especially in networks coexisting with LTE where PDCCH monitoring is restricted due to long-term evolution (LTE) cell-specific reference signals.
Innovation Solution
The method involves simultaneously scheduling multiple PDSCHs through a single DCI transmitted via a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), with each PDSCH associated with a respective cell, and ensuring proper time offsets (K0 and K1 processing times) to allow for sufficient data processing and beam switching by the user equipment (UE), enabling flexible scheduling and efficient multi-cell operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple PDSCHs are scheduled simultaneously through a single DCI across multiple cells, then scheduling flexibility and efficiency are improved, but processing time requirements become more complex and rigid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the time offset K0 configurable and adaptable rather than fixed. The base station can dynamically adjust K0 values based on UE processing capabilities, network conditions, and cell-specific requirements. This allows the scheduling system to adapt to varying processing demands across different cells and UEs, resolving the contradiction between scheduling flexibility and processing time complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the multi-cell scheduling problem by allowing independent time offset K0 configuration for each scheduled cell. Instead of applying a uniform processing time across all cells, each cell can have its own K0 value tailored to its specific characteristics, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining flexibility.
2Reliability
If PDCCH monitoring is restricted due to LTE cell-specific reference signals, then LTE coexistence is maintained, but scheduling efficiency for multi-cell PDSCH is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by configuring appropriate time offsets K0 in advance, before the actual scheduling occurs. This ensures that even with restricted PDCCH monitoring, the UE has sufficient time to process the DCI and prepare for PDSCH reception across multiple cells. By pre-planning the timing relationships, the system maintains both LTE coexistence and scheduling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the time parameter K0 to optimize scheduling efficiency under LTE coexistence constraints. By adjusting K0 values based on PDCCH monitoring restrictions, the system can accommodate reduced monitoring opportunities while still achieving effective multi-cell scheduling, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and productivity.
3Speed
If time offset K0 is reduced to enable faster scheduling, then scheduling speed is improved, but beam switching and data processing time may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different time offset K0 values for different cells based on their specific requirements. Cells that require beam switching can have larger K0 values to ensure proper beam alignment, while cells with simpler requirements can use smaller K0 values for faster scheduling. This cell-specific approach resolves the contradiction between scheduling speed and beam switching reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Described are processing time approaches to simultaneous multi-cell PUSCH/PDSCH scheduling with a single DCI (downlink control information) in a wireless communication system. In various approaches, simultaneously scheduling a plurality of physical downlink shared channels (PDSCHs) through a single DCI transmitted via a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) occurs, wherein each of the plurality of PDSCHs is associated with a respective cell in a plurality of cells. The approaches further include transmitting data to or receiving data to a user equipment (UE) based on the scheduling information, wherein the plurality of PDSCHs occurs no earlier than a time offset following the PDCCH. In other aspects, a hybrid automatic repeat request-acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) is received via a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), the HARQ-ACK having been sent by a user equipment (UE) in response to one of the plurality of PDSCHs, wherein the HARQ-ACK is sent no earlier than a time offset following a reference time in one of the plurality of PDSCHs. In other aspects, transmitting data to or receiving data to a user equipment (UE) is based on the scheduling information, wherein the plurality of PDSCHs occurs no earlier than a time offset following the PDCCH, the time offset being configured to permit analog beam switching by a user equipment (UE).