Single DCI Multi-Cell Scheduling for 5G PDCCH Efficiency
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G communication systems face challenges in efficiently scheduling shared channel resources, particularly in scenarios with limited PDCCH resources due to the need for cross-carrier scheduling and the complexity of signaling multiple cells simultaneously, leading to potential PDCCH blocking events and increased complexity.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a single scheduling DCI transmission to schedule shared channel resources across multiple cells, incorporating a DCI field that identifies each cell and supports both single-cell and multi-cell scheduling, with features like a three-bit carrier indicator field and hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback mechanisms to manage resource allocation and feedback timing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple separate DCI transmissions are used to schedule shared channel resources in multiple cells, then each cell can be scheduled independently with full control, but the PDCCH resources are consumed faster and PDCCH blocking events increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate DCI transmissions into a single unified DCI transmission that schedules shared channel resources across multiple cells simultaneously. This merging approach consolidates what would otherwise require multiple PDCCH transmissions into one, thereby improving scheduling efficiency while conserving PDCCH resources and reducing blocking events.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a universal DCI structure that can schedule shared channel resources in one or multiple cells within a single transmission. This multi-functional DCI design allows the same control message to serve multiple cells, making the PDCCH resource more versatile and reducing the overall demand for PDCCH transmissions in multi-cell scenarios.
2Quantity of substance
If a single DCI transmission schedules shared channel resources in multiple cells, then PDCCH resource consumption is reduced and blocking events decrease, but the DCI size and signaling complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the multi-cell scheduling information into distinct fields within the DCI structure, including a cell identifier field, resource allocation fields for each cell, and modulation and coding scheme fields. This segmentation allows the complex multi-cell scheduling information to be organized in a structured manner, making processing more manageable while maintaining the compact single-DCI format.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs parameter changes by using a configurable number of bits for the cell identifier field and other scheduling parameters, allowing the DCI structure to adapt to different multi-cell scenarios. This flexibility enables the system to optimize the DCI size and complexity based on the specific number of cells being scheduled and the resource allocation requirements.
3Quantity of substance
If DCI size is minimized for efficient transmission, then PDCCH resource usage is optimized, but the ability to convey detailed multi-cell scheduling information is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where cell-specific scheduling information is efficiently packed within the unified DCI transmission. The cell identifier field acts as a container that organizes subsequent resource allocation and modulation information for multiple cells, allowing detailed scheduling data to be conveyed in a compact nested format that minimizes overall DCI size while preserving information completeness.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is disclosed in which a UE communicates with a RAN node in a set of cells. The UE receives, from the RAN node, control information for scheduling resources for a respective shared channel in each of at least two cells of the set of cells. The respective control information for each of the at least two cells of the set of cells is received in a single scheduling downlink control information (DCI) transmission. The UE respectively communicates with the RAN node in each of the at least two cells of the set of cells using the corresponding shared channel resources scheduled via the single scheduling DCI transmission. The scheduling DCI includes a DCI field, and the DCI field carries information for identifying each cell, of the at least two cells of the set of cells, for which resources for a respective shared channel have been scheduled.