SC-MCCH Segmentation for NB-IoT Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies for Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) and enhanced Machine Type Communication (eMTC) do not have a solution for scheduling and transmitting segmented Single-Cell Multicast Control Channel (SC-MCCH) messages, which exceed the reduced Transport Block Size (TBS) limits, leading to challenges in receiving all segments within the repetition period.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves providing wireless devices with information regarding segmentation of SC-MCCH into multiple segments, using Downlink Control Information (DCI) messages to schedule and transmit these segments, allowing for flexible scheduling and transmission of each segment with specific Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) and repetition numbers, and indicating the presence of subsequent segments and their timing intervals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If SC-MCCH messages are transmitted using current NB-IoT and eMTC technologies, then the transmission can be performed with existing TBS limits, but the messages cannot be fully transmitted when they exceed the reduced TBS limits
Solution Approach 1:
The SC-MCCH message is divided into multiple segments, each fitting within the reduced TBS limit of NB-IoT and eMTC. The segmentation is indicated through DCI messages that provide segment count and timing information, allowing UEs to receive and reassemble all segments reliably within the repetition period.
2Quantity of substance
If the maximum TBS is increased to accommodate SC-MCCH messages, then complete messages can be transmitted in one block, but the TBS limits of NB-IoT and eMTC would be exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing TBS limits, the solution segments SC-MCCH messages to fit within existing NB-IoT and eMTC TBS constraints. Multiple segmented transmissions maintain compatibility with the reduced TBS while achieving complete message delivery through systematic segmentation and reassembly.
3Adaptability or versatility
If SC-MCCH segments are transmitted separately with individual DCI messages, then flexible scheduling is achieved, but more control channel resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple DCI messages for different SC-MCCH segments are merged into a single DCI transmission. This consolidated approach provides the same scheduling flexibility as separate DCI messages while consuming fewer control channel resources, as the single DCI contains segment count and timing information for all segments.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods relating to scheduling and transmitting/receiving a segmented Single-Cell Multicast Control Channel (SC-MCCH) are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method of operation of a wireless device to receive a plurality of SC-MCCH segments comprises obtaining information regarding segmentation of a SC-MCCH into a plurality of SC-MCCH segments and receiving, from a network node, separate transmissions for the plurality of SC-MCCH segments in accordance with the information regarding segmentation of the SC-MCCH. By segmenting the SC-MCCH in this manner, increasing the maximum Transport Block Size (TBS) or defining a higher TBS size for SC-MCCH can be avoided.