SpCell Scheduling Across Multiple Cells With UE Decode Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implementing a scenario where both a special cell (SpCell) and a secondary cell (SCell) are capable of scheduling the SpCell increases UE complexity, particularly in dynamic spectrum sharing scenarios between LTE and 5G NR, limiting network operator flexibility.
Innovation Solution
The UE is configured to determine the number of blind decodes and control channel elements for both the SpCell and SCell, allowing both cells to schedule the SpCell while implementing restrictions and overbooking rules to balance network flexibility and UE complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If both SpCell and SCell are configured to schedule the SpCell, then network scheduling flexibility is improved, but UE complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the scheduling responsibility by introducing a dedicated field in the DCI format to indicate whether the SpCell is being scheduled by itself or by the SCell. This segmentation allows the UE to process scheduling information from multiple cells without requiring complete redesign of the control channel monitoring architecture, thus improving network flexibility while managing UE complexity through structured information handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the UE with the DCI format structure that includes the scheduling source indication field before actual scheduling occurs. This pre-established framework allows the UE to efficiently process scheduling decisions from either SpCell or SCell without requiring complex real-time analysis, thereby enabling enhanced network flexibility while controlling UE processing complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cells schedule the SpCell, then network operator flexibility is improved, but UE processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the critical scheduling source identification function into a dedicated field within the DCI format. By taking out this specific function and implementing it as a separate, well-defined element, the patent enables the UE to easily distinguish between SpCell and SCell scheduling decisions without requiring complex processing of the entire DCI structure, thus improving network operator flexibility while simplifying UE processing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the DCI format with the scheduling source indication field as an intermediary mechanism between the network scheduling decisions and UE processing. This intermediary structure translates the complex multi-cell scheduling scenario into a manageable format where the UE can efficiently identify and process scheduling information from either SpCell or SCell, thereby enhancing network flexibility without proportionally increasing UE processing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A user equipment (UE) is connected to a special cell (SpCell) that is configured to schedule the SpCell and a secondary cell (SCell) that is configured to schedule the SpCell. The UE determines a number of blind decodes (BDs) and a number of control channel elements (CCEs) that may be configured for the SpCell and monitors a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) for downlink control information (DCI) scheduling the SpCell that is transmitted by the SpCell and DCI scheduling the SpCell that is transmitted by the SCell.