Single-DCI TDRA Mapping for Multi-Cell 5G NR Scheduling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing network technologies face challenges in efficiently managing time domain resource allocation for multi-cell scheduling using a single downlink control information (DCI) format, particularly in 5G NR networks, as they lack effective mechanisms to jointly indicate resource allocations for multiple cells.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a single time domain resource allocation (TDRA) field in DCI to indicate time domain resource allocations for multiple cells by mapping to one or more TDRA tables, allowing for efficient scheduling of uplink or downlink communications across multiple cells.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a single DCI format is used for multi-cell scheduling, then signaling overhead is reduced, but the complexity of mapping TDRA field to multiple TDRA tables increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignaling overheadVSAvoidmapping complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the TDRA field into multiple parts, where each part corresponds to a specific cell or TDRA table. This segmentation allows the single DCI to efficiently indicate different time domain resource allocations for multiple cells without requiring complex overall mapping, as each segment can be independently interpreted according to pre-configured rules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different interpretation rules to different segments of the TDRA field based on local requirements. Each cell or TDRA table can have its own specific mapping rules configured by higher layers, allowing the system to optimize for local conditions while maintaining a unified single-DCI structure for multi-cell scheduling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If separate DCI formats are used for each cell, then resource allocation precision is maintained, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource allocation precisionVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple cell scheduling functions into a single DCI format, combining what would traditionally require separate DCI messages. By integrating multiple TDRA tables and using a unified TDRA field that can indicate resources for multiple cells simultaneously, the system maintains precise resource allocation while significantly reducing signaling overhead compared to separate DCI approaches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single DCI format is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple cells and different TDRA configurations. The TDRA field can be flexibly interpreted to serve different cells with different resource allocation patterns, making the DCI structure multi-functional while avoiding the need for cell-specific DCI formats.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12634948B2Time-domain resource allocation for multi-cell scheduling by a single DCI

Publication Date: 2026.05.19 APPLE INC

AI summary

A user equipment (UE) is configured to receive downlink control information (DCI), the DCI comprising a single time domain resource allocation (TDRA) field configured to indicate time domain resource allocations for multiple cells and determine time domain resource allocations for each cell scheduled by the DCI based on a mapping indicated by the single TDRA field in the DCI to one or more TDRA tables.