Terminal Control Channel Monitoring in OFDM Wireless Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems using MIMO technology, the base station faces challenges in efficiently allocating resources for control information, leading to hindered transmission efficiency due to insufficient allocated resources as the number of terminals increases.
Innovation Solution
A terminal and base station system that employs OFDM communication, where a control channel processing unit monitors both a cell-specific and UE-specific search space in a sub-frame, using distinct reference signals for efficient control information notification, allowing for adaptive resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the base station uses conventional control channel resources to notify terminals of control information, then the control information transmission is maintained, but the transmission efficiency is hindered due to insufficient allocated resources as the number of terminals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the control channel resources into two distinct search spaces: cell-specific search space and UE-specific search space. This segmentation allows the base station to distribute control information across different resource pools, effectively increasing the total capacity for control channel transmission and resolving the resource insufficiency problem as terminal count increases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension for control channel allocation by creating UE-specific search spaces in addition to the traditional cell-specific search space. This dimensional expansion in the resource allocation structure enables the system to accommodate more terminals without compromising transmission efficiency, as control information can now be transmitted through multiple search space dimensions.
2Productivity
If the base station allocates more control channel resources to accommodate increased terminal numbers, then the control information notification capacity improves, but the resource allocation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making search spaces terminal-specific rather than uniform for all terminals. Each terminal is configured with specific UE-specific search space parameters (monitoring occasions, offsets, etc.), allowing the base station to efficiently manage control channel resources tailored to each terminal's needs without requiring complex global resource allocation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic configuration of UE-specific search spaces through RRC signaling, allowing the base station to flexibly allocate and reconfigure control channel resources based on current network conditions and terminal requirements. This dynamic approach enables scalable resource allocation without permanent structural complexity.
3Reliability
If the terminal monitors both cell-specific and UE-specific search spaces, then the control information reception completeness improves, but the monitoring complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring UE-specific search space parameters through RRC signaling before the terminal begins monitoring. This advance configuration provides the terminal with specific monitoring occasion patterns, offsets, and resource indications, reducing the real-time monitoring complexity while ensuring complete control information reception across both search space types.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a terminal for performing OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing) communication with a base station forming a cell. The terminal includes a control channel processing unit configured to monitor, in a sub-frame, a first control channel in a cell-specific search space that is a search space common within the cell, and a first control channel in a UE-specific search space that is a search space specific to the terminal. In a case where monitoring of a second control channel different from the first control channel that is in the cell-specific search space or the UE-specific search space is configured, the control channel processing unit monitors, in a sub-frame, at least both the first control channel in the cell-specific search space and the second control channel in the UE-specific search space.