Single-DCI Multi-Slot Scheduling for Flexible Non-Consecutive Slots

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional multi-slot scheduling mechanisms in wireless communications, such as those used in the 3GPP NR standard, face challenges including large DCI sizes, increased BD burden, high PDCCH blocking probability, lack of flexibility in slot aggregation, and inability to handle non-consecutive slots, especially when dealing with different service requirements like eMBB and URLLC.

Innovation Solution

A method for enhanced single DCI multi-slot scheduling that allows for scheduling shared channel transmissions across multiple slots with consistent time-frequency resources, supporting non-consecutive slots and multi-layer transmissions, while reducing DCI size and complexity, using RRC, MAC CE, or DCI signaling to configure patterns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional multi-slot scheduling mechanisms are used, then slot aggregation can be performed, but DCI size becomes large and processing overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveslot aggregation flexibilityVSAvoidDCI size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the DCI structure into common fields (applicable to all scheduled slots) and slot-specific fields. By separating these components, the common scheduling information is transmitted once rather than repeated in each slot's DCI, significantly reducing overall DCI size while maintaining the ability to schedule multiple slots with a single DCI message.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal DCI format that can schedule multiple slots with different configurations (consecutive or non-consecutive, different services like eMBB and URLLC). This multi-functional DCI structure replaces the need for separate DCIs for each slot, reducing processing overhead while maintaining versatility in slot aggregation patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If conventional multi-slot scheduling mechanisms are used, then scheduling can be performed, but PDCCH blocking probability increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescheduling efficiencyVSAvoidPDCCH blocking probability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple scheduling decisions into a single PDCCH transmission by combining multiple slot schedules into one DCI message. This consolidation reduces the number of PDCCH transmissions required, thereby reducing PDCCH blocking probability while maintaining efficient multi-slot scheduling capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If conventional multi-slot scheduling mechanisms are used, then scheduling can be performed, but flexibility for non-consecutive slots is lacking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescheduling operationVSAvoidnon-consecutive slot support

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic slot offset indicators that allow flexible specification of time gaps between scheduled slots. This dynamic configuration enables the system to adapt to various service requirements (eMBB, URLLC) with different latency and throughput needs, supporting both consecutive and non-consecutive slot patterns without sacrificing operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Productivity

If conventional multi-slot scheduling mechanisms are used, then slot aggregation is performed, but power consumption increases due to continuous monitoring

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork performanceVSAvoidwireless device power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables periodic monitoring patterns by allowing wireless devices to be scheduled in specific slots with defined gaps. During unscheduled slots, devices can enter sleep mode rather than continuously monitoring PDCCH, reducing power consumption while maintaining network performance during active transmission slots.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS12363720B2Enhanced single downlink control information multi-slot scheduling

Publication Date: 2025.07.15 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

A method, network node and wireless device for single downlink control information (DCI), multiple slot scheduling are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method includes receiving a downlink control information, (DCI) signal in a first slot, the DCI being configured to cause the WD to transmit uplink shared channel transmissions to the network node and/or receive downlink shared channel transmissions from the network node, the transmitting and/or receiving being according to a pattern in a plurality of slots. The method further includes transmitting the uplink shared channel transmissions to the network node and/or receive the downlink shared channel transmissions from the network node according to the pattern, the transmitting and/or receiving of the uplink and/or downlink shared channel transmissions in each slot being in a number of layers indicated by a rank provided by the DCI signal.