REG Bundling Size Configuration for 5G Control Channel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Next-generation wireless communication systems, such as 5G and New Radio (NR), face challenges in efficiently managing diverse performance dimensions and services due to conflicting requirements across different use cases like eMBB, mMTC, and URLLC, particularly in channel estimation and control channel capacity, especially at low SNR regimes and for coexistence with multiple numerologies.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of independent REG bundling sizes for common and UE-specific search spaces, along with specific demodulation reference signal patterns and interleaving configurations, enhances channel estimation and decoding performance by optimizing resource allocation and interleaving methods within control resource sets (CORESETS) in the NR system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a unified REG bundling size is used for all search spaces, then device complexity is reduced, but channel estimation performance deteriorates at low SNR regimes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel estimation performanceVSAvoidREG bundling configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the REG bundling size configuration by search space type, defining separate bundling sizes for common search spaces (CSS) and UE-specific search spaces (USS). This segmentation allows optimized channel estimation performance for each search space type while maintaining manageable device complexity through structured configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by allowing different REG bundling sizes for different search space types (CSS and USS) based on their specific requirements. Common search spaces can use larger bundling sizes for robust channel estimation, while UE-specific search spaces can use smaller sizes for efficiency, optimizing performance locally for each search space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If larger REG bundling size is used, then channel estimation performance improves, but control channel capacity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel estimation performanceVSAvoidcontrol channel capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control channel resources into different search spaces with different REG bundling sizes. Common search spaces use larger bundling sizes for reliable channel estimation, while UE-specific search spaces use smaller bundling sizes to maximize control channel capacity, thus balancing reliability and capacity requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the REG bundling size parameter based on the search space type and SNR conditions. By dynamically selecting appropriate bundling sizes for different search spaces, the system optimizes channel estimation performance when needed while preserving control channel capacity for other purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If independent REG bundling sizes are configured for common and UE-specific search spaces, then channel estimation performance improves, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel estimation performanceVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a new parameter configuration mechanism that allows independent REG bundling sizes for CSS and USS. This parameter change enables optimized channel estimation for each search space type while the configuration is efficiently signaled through existing RRC signaling structures, minimizing additional overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple numerologies are supported simultaneously, then system versatility improves, but interference management becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-numerology supportVSAvoidinterference between numerologies

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments control channel resources into different search spaces that can be associated with different numerologies. By configuring independent REG bundling sizes for each search space, the system can optimize resource allocation and reduce interference between multiple numerologies, improving coexistence while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11071170B2Reg bundling size and dm-rs pattern for physical downlink control channel

Publication Date: 2021.07.20 APPLE INC

AI summary

Technology for a user equipment, operable to configure a control resource set (CORESET) is disclosed. The UE can decode a signal, received from a next generation node B (gNB), that includes a resource element group (REG) bundling size for a first CORESET. The UE can decode a signal, received from the gNB that includes a REG bundling size for a second CORESET. The UE can decode a control message contained in one or more REGs in one or more of the first CORESET or the second CORESET.