UL/DL Grant Numerology Indicator for 5G NR Scheduling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems for 5G NR UE face limitations in efficiently scheduling multiple simultaneous resources, particularly in supporting diverse numerologies and services like eMBB and URLLC, which require flexible and efficient use of time/frequency/space resources to meet conflicting needs.

Innovation Solution

The system allows for the allocation of multiple numerologies within a single UL/DL grant, enabling UE-specific and common search spaces for monitoring and scheduling, with the gNB assigning subcarrier spacings and logical channel prioritization to optimize resource utilization across different services.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single UL/DL grant is used for resource allocation, then device complexity is reduced, but the system cannot support multiple diverse services with different numerologies simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport for multiple services and numerologiesVSAvoidgrant structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the resource allocation by introducing a numerology indicator field within the DCI format. This allows the single UL/DL grant to be divided into multiple resource allocations, each associated with a different numerology (subcarrier spacing, cyclic prefix type). The segmentation enables simultaneous support for diverse services like eMBB and URLLC while maintaining a unified grant structure, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enhances the universality of the UL/DL grant by making it multi-functional. The grant structure is designed to accommodate multiple resource allocations with different numerologies through the addition of a numerology indicator. This single grant can now serve multiple purposes: allocating resources for eMBB services with one numerology and URLLC services with another numerology simultaneously, thereby achieving versatility without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If multiple resource allocations are supported in a single grant, then service diversity and flexibility improve, but processing complexity and overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling efficiencyVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple resource allocations into a single UL/DL grant structure by introducing a numerology indicator field. Instead of creating separate grants for each service type (which would increase overhead and processing complexity), the invention combines multiple allocations with different numerologies into one grant. This merging approach improves scheduling efficiency and productivity while keeping processing complexity manageable through a unified structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by adding a numerology indicator field to the DCI format. This parameter allows dynamic selection of different numerologies (subcarrier spacings, cyclic prefix types) within the same grant structure. By changing this parameter, the system can efficiently schedule diverse services without increasing overall processing complexity, as the additional field is compact and enables flexible resource allocation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If traditional single-numerology grants are used, then processing is simpler, but latency and reliability requirements for URLLC cannot be met

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice quality for URLLCVSAvoidgrant structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the resource allocation to enable dedicated numerology selection for URLLC services. By introducing the numerology indicator field, the system can allocate specific resources with appropriate numerologies (e.g., larger subcarrier spacing for URLLC) within the same grant structure. This segmentation allows URLLC to meet its strict latency and reliability requirements without requiring a completely separate complex grant structure, thus resolving the contradiction between service quality and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3619870B1Systems and methods for supporting multiple allocations in UL/DL grant for a 5g NR UE and gnb
Publication Date: 2024.06.26 SHARP KK
  • EP3619870B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3619870B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3619870B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(d)

AI summary

A user equipment (UE) is described. The UE includes a receiving circuitry configured to receive a radio resource control message including first information used for determining a monitoring occasion where the UE monitors a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in a search space. The receiving circuitry is also configured to receive a radio resource control message including second information used for determining downlink control information (DCI) formats which accordingly the UE monitors the PDCCH in the search space. The search space is a UE-specific search space. The monitoring occasion comprises a slot and/or a symbol. The DCI formats include a DCI format used for scheduling of a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) and/or a DCI format used for scheduling of a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH).