Supplemental Uplink Carrier Data Scheduling via Search Space Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems, particularly in 5G and LTE, face challenges in efficiently scheduling data transmissions using supplemental uplink carriers (SUL) due to complexities in cross-carrier scheduling and resource allocation, which affect latency and reliability across different services.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of techniques for determining search spaces, transmitting and monitoring downlink control information (DCI), and fallback DCI strategies enables efficient data scheduling on both primary and supplemental uplink carriers, allowing for dynamic resource allocation and improved communication efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If cross-carrier scheduling is implemented for supplemental uplink carriers, then resource allocation flexibility is improved, but scheduling complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation flexibilityVSAvoidscheduling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the scheduling process by introducing separate search space configurations for different component carriers. The network device configures first search spaces for primary uplink carrier scheduling and second search spaces for supplemental uplink carrier scheduling, dividing the complex scheduling task into manageable, carrier-specific segments that reduce overall scheduling complexity while maintaining flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces search space configuration as an intermediary mechanism between the network device and UE. This intermediary structure enables cross-carrier scheduling by defining specific monitoring resources (search spaces) that mediate the control information exchange, allowing flexible resource allocation without directly increasing scheduling complexity at the physical layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If multiple search spaces are configured for different carriers, then data transmission reliability is improved, but control signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidcontrol signaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by configuring search spaces with carrier-specific parameters including frequency offsets and bandwidth adjustments. Each search space is locally optimized for its target component carrier's characteristics, ensuring reliable detection control information for that specific carrier while avoiding uniform over-provisioning across all carriers, thus managing signaling overhead efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If dynamic resource allocation is implemented across carriers, then system productivity is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem productivityVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring search space parameters including frequency offsets, bandwidths, and monitoring occasions before data transmission begins. This advance configuration enables dynamic resource allocation to proceed efficiently during actual transmission without requiring complex real-time calculations, thus improving productivity while minimizing processing time delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3711422B1Efficient data scheduling with supplemental uplink carrier
Publication Date: 2022.03.09 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3711422B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3711422B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3711422B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to communication systems, and more particularly, to efficient data scheduling in systems having a supplemental uplink carrier (SUL) configured. In some aspects, a method for wireless communications by a user equipment (UE) is provided. The UE receives signaling configuring the UE for uplink control channel transmission on a primary uplink carrier (PUL) or a SUL. The SUL is an uplink carrier not paired to a downlink carrier. The UE monitors in at least one search space for downlink control information (DCI) scheduling the UE for uplink data transmission to a cell on the PUL or the SUL. The UE sends one or more uplink data transmissions to the cell on the primary uplink carrier or the supplemental uplink carrier based on the DCI.