Ultra Compact DCI and Scheduling PDSCHs for NTN Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication systems in non-terrestrial networks face challenges due to increased signaling propagation times and power flux density limitations, leading to reduced downlink coverage and potential bottlenecks in PDCCH transmissions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing ultra compact DCI and scheduling PDSCHs to simplify DCI use, reduce payload size, and enhance PDSCH repetitions for improved downlink coverage, while using system information blocks for configuration and HARQ-ACK signaling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If PDCCH transmissions are used for scheduling in non-terrestrial networks, then downlink control information can be transmitted, but signaling propagation delays increase and power flux density limitations reduce coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the scheduling function from the PDCCH to a separate scheduling PDSCH. The PDCCH only carries ultra compact DCI with minimal scheduling information, while the detailed scheduling information is transmitted separately via scheduling PDSCH. This separation reduces the time critical PDCCH transmission requirements while maintaining reliable scheduling coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a scheduling PDSCH as an intermediary between the PDCCH and the data PDSCH. The scheduling PDSCH carries detailed scheduling information that would otherwise need to be transmitted via PDCCH, acting as a mediator that reduces the burden on PDCCH transmissions and improves downlink coverage.
2Productivity
If DCI payload size is reduced for ultra compact DCI, then PDCCH transmission efficiency improves, but less scheduling information can be conveyed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the scheduling information into two parts: essential scheduling information is transmitted via ultra compact DCI in PDCCH for quick processing, while detailed scheduling information is transmitted separately via scheduling PDSCH. This segmentation allows PDCCH to remain efficient while ensuring complete scheduling information is delivered.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves detailed scheduling information from the time-critical PDCCH dimension to the more flexible scheduling PDSCH dimension. This dimensional transition allows the system to maintain PDCCH efficiency while conveying complete scheduling information through the additional resource dimension provided by scheduling PDSCH.
Data Source
AI summary
System and methods for using ultra compact downlink control information (DCI) in conjunction with one or more scheduling physical downlink shared channels (PDSCHs) are disclosed herein. A base station may transmit, to a user equipment (UE), an ultra compact DCI that schedules the one or more scheduling PDSCHs. The one or more scheduling PDSCHs may schedule a data PDSCH or physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) that is to be used for user/application layer data transmission. The ultra compact DCI and/or the one or more scheduling PDSCHs may be as configured by a system information block (SIB). The ultra compact DCI and/or the one or more scheduling PDSCHs may schedule a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) used for hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) signaling relative to the one or more scheduling PDSCHs. Aspects regarding the use of these systems and methods in non-terrestrial network (NTN) contexts are considered.