Single-DCI Multi-Slot Scheduling for Flexible PDSCH Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication technologies lack an efficient single DCI multi-slot scheduling mechanism that allows for flexible time-frequency resource allocation, dynamic adaptation, and reduced complexity, particularly in high-load conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method for single DCI multi-slot scheduling that allocates like time-frequency resources to each shared channel transmission, supports non-consecutive slot arrangements, and allows dynamic indication of slot patterns through DCI, RRC, or MAC CE signaling, enabling flexible scheduling without increasing DCI size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple PDSCHs are scheduled by separate DCIs in different slots, then each PDSCH can be independently controlled, but the control signaling overhead increases and scheduling flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate DCI messages into a single DCI that schedules multiple PDSCHs across different slots. This is achieved by introducing a multi-slot scheduling indicator in the DCI format that points to a configured set of PDSCHs, allowing one DCI to control multiple downlink transmissions instead of requiring separate DCIs for each PDSCH.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal DCI structure that can schedule both single-slot and multi-slot PDSCH transmissions. The multi-slot scheduling indicator field in the DCI provides multi-functionality by being able to indicate different numbers of slots and different PDSCH configurations within the same DCI message, adapting to various scheduling needs.
2Loss of information
If a single DCI schedules multiple PDSCHs across multiple slots, then control signaling overhead is reduced, but the complexity of interpreting and executing the scheduling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses preliminary action by pre-configuring a set of PDSCHs with specific parameters before actual scheduling occurs. The multi-slot scheduling indicator in the DCI then simply points to pre-defined configurations in this set, allowing the UE to interpret the scheduling with reduced complexity since much of the detailed configuration is already established in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary configuration structure that acts as a bridge between the compact DCI and the detailed PDSCH parameters. The multi-slot scheduling indicator serves as an intermediary that references pre-configured PDSCH sets, translating the compact DCI information into detailed scheduling parameters without requiring complex interpretation logic in the UE.
3Reliability
If multiple DCIs are used to schedule PDSCHs, then each transmission can be independently optimized, but the processing time and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple independent DCI processing operations into a single DCI processing event. By scheduling multiple PDSCHs in one DCI, the UE performs one decoding and interpretation operation instead of multiple separate operations, significantly reducing processing time and power consumption while maintaining the ability to optimize each PDSCH transmission through the multi-slot scheduling indicator.
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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.