Single DCI for SPS Activation and Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

In LTE communications systems, especially in D2D and V2V scenarios, the existing methods require multiple DCI messages to activate and release semi-persistent scheduling resources, leading to significant signaling overheads.

Innovation Solution

A method where a single DCI message is used to both activate and implicitly release a semi-persistent scheduling resource, reducing the need for explicit release instructions and minimizing signaling overheads by reusing bits to indicate resource indexes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple DCI messages are used to activate and release SPS resources separately, then the resource management control is explicit and reliable, but the signaling overhead increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource management controlVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the activation and release functions into a single DCI message by combining the activation indication and release indication into one downlink control information structure. This allows the base station to manage SPS resource lifecycle events (activation and release) in a single signaling operation, reducing the number of DCI messages from multiple separate messages to one unified message, thereby reducing signaling overhead while maintaining reliable control through the integrated explicit indications within the single DCI.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The DCI message is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it can indicate activation of SPS resources, release of SPS resources, or both operations in sequence within the same message. The single DCI structure incorporates multiple indication fields that enable it to perform what previously required separate specialized messages, making the DCI universal for SPS resource lifecycle management and reducing overall signaling overhead.

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

2Loss of information

If a single DCI message is used to both activate and release SPS resources, then the signaling overhead is reduced, but the complexity of the DCI structure increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignaling overheadVSAvoidDCI structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The unified DCI message is segmented into distinct indication fields: an activation indication field and a release indication field. Each field independently controls a specific function. This segmentation allows the complex multi-functional DCI to be managed through modular, independent control elements, making the complexity manageable while still achieving the benefit of reduced signaling overhead through consolidation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The DCI structure utilizes parameter changes (specifically, different values or states of indication fields) to convey different operational meanings. By changing the state of activation indication and release indication parameters within the single DCI, the system can express multiple commands without requiring multiple separate messages, thus reducing overhead while managing complexity through standardized parameter-based control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3506695B1Method and device for releasing semi-persistent scheduling resource
Publication Date: 2020.03.25 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3506695B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3506695B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3506695B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for releasing a semi-persistent scheduling resource and a device. The method includes: receiving, by a base station, service information sent by user equipment UE, where the service information includes first service information of first service data; determining, by the base station based on the first service information, semi-persistent scheduling SPS information corresponding to the first service data, where the SPS information includes indication information of a new SPS resource; and sending, by the base station, downlink control information DCI to the UE, where the DCI includes the SPS information, and the DCI is used to instruct the UE to activate the new SPS resource and release a target SPS resource, where the target SPS resource is an SPS resource corresponding to second service data that has been transmitted. This embodiment can reduce signaling overheads of the DCI.