Single DCI Scheduling for Downlink and Uplink Resource Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication technologies face challenges in efficiently scheduling dynamic and semi-persistent uplink and downlink transmissions due to uncertainties in buffer status and limited precision in signaling, leading to inefficiencies and potential collisions in resource allocation.
Innovation Solution
A method using a single Downlink Control Information (DCI) to schedule multiple allocations, including both downlink and uplink control channels, dynamic shared channels, semi-persistent scheduling, and configured grants, allowing for flexible configuration and dependency between allocations to optimize resource usage and reduce PDCCH resource usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate DCIs are used to schedule downlink and uplink transmissions, then scheduling precision and control flexibility are improved, but PDCCH resource usage and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate downlink and uplink scheduling DCIs into a single unified DCI structure. This merged DCI contains scheduling information for both downlink shared channels and uplink shared channels, allowing simultaneous allocation of resources for both directions through one control signal, thereby reducing PDCCH resource consumption while maintaining scheduling flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The unified DCI is designed with multi-functional capabilities to schedule various types of transmissions including dynamic downlink allocations, semi-persistent downlink scheduling, dynamic uplink allocations, and configured uplink grants. This universal DCI structure can adapt to different scheduling scenarios and traffic patterns, providing versatile control for both downlink and uplink communications
2Measurement precision
If multiple DCIs are used to schedule different transmission types, then scheduling precision is improved, but UE processing complexity and latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple scheduling DCIs into one unified DCI, the patent reduces the number of control signals the UE must process. The single DCI contains all necessary scheduling information for both downlink and uplink transmissions, allowing the UE to process scheduling decisions in a single operation rather than handling multiple separate DCIs sequentially, thereby reducing processing latency
3Measurement precision
If dynamic scheduling is used for uplink transmissions, then resource allocation precision is improved, but uncertainties in buffer status reporting and signaling precision lead to inefficiencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates configured grant mechanisms that pre-allocate uplink resources based on semi-persistent scheduling agreements between gNB and UE. This preliminary resource allocation reduces the need for continuous buffer status reporting and dynamic scheduling requests, thereby mitigating the uncertainties and delays associated with buffer status signaling while maintaining reliable resource allocation
Data Source
AI summary
A method performed in a radio access node of a wireless network is provided that includes determining (1901) for a single downlink control information, DCI, to schedule one or more downlink, DL, and/or uplink, UL, control channel allocations, and/or one or more of dynamic DL shared channel allocations and/or one or more DL semi-persistent scheduling, SPS, allocations and/or one or more dynamic UL shared channel allocations, and/or one or more UL configured grant, CG, allocations, and/or one or more DL and/or UL shared channel allocations comprising or multiplexed with control information. The method further includes transmitting (1903) the single DCI to a user equipment, UE, to schedule the one or more UL and/or DL control channel allocations and the one or more of DL dynamic shared channel allocations and/or DL SPS and/or UL dynamic shared channel allocations and/or UL CG allocations and/or DL and/or UL shared channel allocations.