Multi-Cell Scheduling With Shared DCI Fields

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increased size of control signaling in 5G NR due to scheduling multiple cells results in degraded performance, particularly with the repetition of DCI fields like TDRA, Rate matching indicator, and ZP CSI-RS trigger, necessitating a more efficient scheduling technique.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that utilize a single DCI to jointly schedule multiple cells by creating a higher layer RRC configuration table to set default values, reducing DCI size through a reference in the control information to indicate scheduling information for each cell, allowing cross-carrier scheduling and different numerologies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a single DCI is used to schedule multiple cells, then the scheduling efficiency is improved, but the DCI size increases linearly with the number of cells

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling efficiencyVSAvoidDCI size
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the DCI structure by introducing separate field types: common DCI fields (applicable to all scheduled cells) and cell-specific DCI fields (applicable to individual cells). This segmentation allows the system to schedule multiple cells efficiently while controlling the overall DCI size, as the common fields are not repeated for each cell.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements universality by creating common DCI fields that serve multiple cells simultaneously. Fields such as the common TDRA field, common rate matching indicator, and common ZP CSI-RS trigger are designed to be applicable across multiple cells, reducing redundancy and controlling DCI size growth.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of information

If DCI fields are repeated for each cell, then complete scheduling information is provided for all cells, but the control signaling size increases and performance degrades

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling information completenessVSAvoidcontrol signaling size
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides DCI fields into common and cell-specific segments. Common fields provide scheduling information applicable to multiple cells without repetition, while cell-specific fields provide necessary variations for individual cells. This segmentation maintains information completeness while minimizing control signaling size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the scheduling information for multiple cells into a single common DCI structure. By combining common scheduling parameters into shared fields and only including cell-specific variations where necessary, the system maintains complete scheduling information while reducing overall control signaling size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4193763B1Scheduling technique for multiple cells
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP4193763B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4193763B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4193763B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A technique for transmitting and receiving scheduling information to a radio device from a network node of a radio access network, RAN, is described. The network node is in radio communication with the radio device through at least two cells. As to a method aspect of the technique, a configuration information is received from the network node. The configuration information is indicative of at least one table comprising at least two alternatives of the scheduling information for each of the at least two cells. Furthermore, control information is received from the network node. The control information is indicative of a reference to one of the at least two alternatives of the scheduling information for each of the at least two cells.