Slot Format Indication via Reference Numerology
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G New Radio systems, indicating the slot format used by different bandwidth parts (BPs) for user equipment (UE) on a group common physical downlink control channel is challenging, especially when UEs have limited bandwidth capabilities, leading to inefficient resource allocation and increased channel resource usage.
Innovation Solution
The method involves the access network device sending downlink control information on a group common control channel to indicate the slot format corresponding to the numerology of each UE's bandwidth part, allowing UEs to determine their specific slot format, thereby optimizing channel resource usage and improving transmission efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the base station allocates resources to UEs in two steps (first indicating bandwidth part, then allocating resource within BP range), then UEs with limited bandwidth capability can access the network, but the slot format indication becomes complex when different BPs use different numerologies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reference numerology as an intermediary concept. The slot format indication is first provided relative to this reference numerology, and then UEs with different numerologies can derive their specific slot formats through conversion based on the reference. This mediator approach simplifies the overall indication mechanism while supporting multiple numerologies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of slot format indication from being directly tied to each specific numerology to being relative to a reference numerology. By changing how the slot format parameter is expressed (from absolute to relative), the system can support multiple numerologies without increasing indication complexity.
2Measurement precision
If separate slot format indications are provided for each bandwidth part, then each UE can accurately determine its slot format, but channel resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the slot format indication universal by providing it relative to a reference numerology that can serve as a basis for multiple different UE numerologies. A single indication mechanism can then serve multiple BPs with different numerologies, reducing channel resource consumption while maintaining accuracy through the reference-based conversion process.
3Productivity
If a reference numerology approach is used for slot format indication, then channel resources are saved and transmission efficiency improves, but UEs must perform conversion operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic conversion relationships where the conversion from reference numerology to UE-specific numerology depends on the actual numerology configuration. The conversion factor or relationship can be dynamically determined based on the numerology pair, allowing flexibility while keeping the base indication simple.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of this application provide a control information sending method, a control information receiving method, and a device. The sending method includes: determining, by an access network device, at least one piece of downlink control information, where the downlink control information includes at least one slot format indication; and sending, by the access network device, the downlink control information to a group of user equipments on a group common downlink control channel, where the group of user equipments operates in M bandwidth parts, the at least one slot format indication is used to indicate a slot format corresponding to N numerologies of the M bandwidth parts, and both N and M are positive integers greater than 1. The slot indication method in this application can meet a requirement of a new-generation wireless communications system.