Slot Format Indicator Signaling via Two-Stage Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems, particularly in new radio (NR) networks, face challenges in efficiently configuring and managing slot formats for effective communication, especially when the group-common physical downlink control channel (GC-PDCCH) is not utilized for slot format indication, leading to unawareness of slot formats by user equipment (UEs).
Innovation Solution
Implementing a two-stage configuration method for slot formats, combining semi-static configuration via system information blocks (SIB) or radio resource control (RRC) with dynamic configuration via GC-PDCCH, allowing network entities and UEs to configure and communicate using slot formats that include symbol partitions and transmission assignments, enabling efficient handling and interference cancellation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If semi-static configuration via SIB or RRC is used for slot format indication, then reliability is improved, but signaling overhead and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The slot format indication is divided into two parts: semi-static configuration via SIB/RRC providing basic slot format information, and dynamic indications via GC-PDCCH providing real-time adjustments. This segmentation allows reliable baseline configuration while reducing continuous signaling overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The semi-static slot format configuration is established in advance through SIB or RRC signaling before actual data transmission begins. This preliminary action ensures that UEs have reliable slot format information available immediately, reducing the need for frequent dynamic signaling.
2Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic configuration via GC-PDCCH is used for slot format indication, then adaptability is improved, but loss of information increases when GC-PDCCH is not detected
Solution Approach 1:
The semi-static slot format configuration serves as a cushion or backup that ensures UEs always have valid slot format information even when dynamic GC-PDCCH indications are missed. This beforehand cushioning prevents information loss and maintains communication reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The semi-static configuration acts as an intermediary layer between the dynamic GC-PDCCH indications and the UE's slot format interpretation. When GC-PDCCH is not detected, the intermediary semi-static configuration provides the fallback information needed to maintain adaptability while preventing information loss.
3Productivity
If frequent slot format reconfiguration is performed, then productivity is improved, but loss of time increases due to reconfiguration overhead
Solution Approach 1:
Slot format reconfiguration is performed periodically through semi-static SIB/RRC updates rather than continuously through every GC-PDCCH transmission. This periodic action maintains communication efficiency while reducing the time overhead associated with frequent reconfigurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines static baseline configuration with dynamic adjustments only when necessary. This dynamic approach allows productivity improvement through targeted reconfigurations while minimizing time loss by avoiding unnecessary full reconfiguration cycles.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to slot format indicator signaling in wireless communication systems. For example, a network entity may configure a slot format to include one or more symbol partitions and a transmission assignment for each of the one or more symbol partitions, and communicate with to at least one UE according to the configured slot format. In another example, a UE may configure at least one slot format according to at least one of a semi-static configuration via a broadcast or unicast transmission, or a dynamic configuration via a group common physical downlink control channel (GC-PDCCH), and communicate with the network entity according to the slot format.