Terminal DCI Monitoring Across Shared Symbols in Multi-Cell Scheduling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The introduction of Multi-Cell DCI (MC-DCI) for scheduling data from multiple cells increases the scheduling complexity and reduces flexibility due to the limitations of existing DCI size and monitoring capabilities, leading to potential collisions and reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
The method involves determining the existence of same time symbols between first and second time units for monitoring MC-DCI and legacy DCI, allowing the terminal to monitor one or both types of DCI on these symbols based on predefined rules, PDCCH monitoring capability, and base station instructions to ensure consistent understanding and reduce scheduling complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If MC-DCI is introduced to schedule data from multiple cells, then scheduling capability is improved, but scheduling complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the monitoring process by introducing a span concept that divides time into monitoring units. The terminal monitors PDCCH candidates and non-overlapping CCEs within each span, allowing structured handling of MC-DCI across multiple cells without overwhelming complexity. This segmentation enables the system to manage multiple cell schedules in an organized manner.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimensional constraint by limiting monitoring to non-overlapping CCEs within span boundaries. This adds a temporal and spatial dimension to the monitoring process, transforming the problem from unstructured multi-cell monitoring to a constrained optimization problem that can be solved systematically.
2Productivity
If DCI size is limited, then transmission efficiency is improved, but scheduling flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of monitoring granularity by introducing span as a new time unit and limiting monitoring to non-overlapping CCEs within spans. This parameter change allows the system to maintain efficient DCI sizes while achieving flexible scheduling across multiple cells by controlling where and how DCI is monitored rather than changing DCI content size.
3Device complexity
If monitoring capability is constrained, then device complexity is reduced, but collision probability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining span boundaries and non-overlapping CCE patterns before monitoring begins. The terminal and base station agree on monitoring configurations in advance, which prevents collisions by ensuring that monitored resources do not overlap. This preliminary structuring reduces the need for complex real-time collision detection and resolution mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
An information monitoring method is executed by a terminal and includes: determining that at least one same time symbol exists between a first time unit and a second time unit; wherein the first time unit is used for the terminal to monitor multi-cell downlink control information (MC-DCI), and the second time unit is used for the terminal to monitor legacy DCI; and monitoring at least one of the MC-DCI or the legacy DCI at least on the same time symbol.