User Terminal Cross-BWP Control Periodicity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current radio communication systems face challenges in determining the monitoring periodicity of downlink control channels, particularly in scenarios involving multiple numerologies, leading to decreased throughput and increased complexity.

Innovation Solution

A user terminal is equipped with a receiving section to monitor downlink control channels in one frequency resource for control in another frequency resource, and a control section that judges the monitoring periodicity based on the monitoring periodicity of the given frequency resource, allowing for numerology-specific or numerology-agnostic alignment of PDCCH monitoring periodicities across different bandwidth parts and component carriers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If cross-BWP/cross-carrier control is implemented with multiple numerologies, then control flexibility and adaptability are improved, but determining monitoring periodicity becomes complex and throughput decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol flexibilityVSAvoidmonitoring periodicity determination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by using a single reference numerology (first numerology) to determine monitoring periodicity for PDCCH across multiple BWPs and component carriers with different numerologies. Instead of creating separate periodicity determination mechanisms for each numerology, the system universally applies the reference numerology's monitoring periodicity configuration to all cross-BWP/cross-carrier control scenarios, simplifying the overall system while maintaining multi-numerology support

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

Solution Approach 2:

The reference numerology acts as an intermediary between the actual numerologies of different BWPs/CCs and the PDCCH monitoring periodicity determination. By introducing this intermediate reference framework, the system can handle multiple numerologies without requiring direct periodicity determination for each individual numerology, thus reducing complexity while preserving adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If separate monitoring periodicity determination is implemented for each numerology, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and processing overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring periodicity accuracyVSAvoidperiodicity determination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a universal reference numerology approach where a single monitoring periodicity configuration (based on first numerology) serves multiple BWPs and component carriers with different numerologies. This universal determination method maintains sufficient accuracy for cross-BWP/cross-carrier control without requiring separate precision-tuned periodicity determination for each numerology, thus avoiding excessive complexity

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter perspective by determining monitoring periodicity in terms of the reference numerology's time units rather than each individual numerology's time units. This parameter transformation allows a single periodicity value to be accurately applied across multiple numerologies by converting to the common reference framework, maintaining precision while reducing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If PDCCH monitoring is performed in given frequency resource for control in another frequency resource, then adaptability is improved, but UE load and processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecross-BWP/cross-carrier control capabilityVSAvoidUE power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by configuring PDCCH monitoring in a given BWP/CC to serve multiple purposes: controlling the given BWP/CC itself and controlling other BWPs/CCs. This universal monitoring configuration allows a single PDCCH monitoring instance to handle multiple control functions, reducing the total number of monitoring operations required and thereby decreasing UE power consumption while maintaining cross-BWP/cross-carrier control capability

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges the control functions by allowing PDCCH in a given frequency resource to provide control for both the given resource and other frequency resources simultaneously. This merging of control functions reduces redundant monitoring operations and lowers UE processing load and power consumption while preserving the adaptability of cross-BWP/cross-carrier control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3703429B1User terminal and radio communication method
Publication Date: 2023.11.22 NTT DOCOMO INC
  • EP3703429B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP3703429B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP3703429B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A user terminal according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a receiving section that monitors, in a given frequency resource, a downlink control channel for control in another frequency resource, and a control section that judges a monitoring periodicity for the downlink control channel for control in the another frequency resource, based on a monitoring periodicity for the downlink control channel for control in the given frequency resource. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the monitoring periodicity for the downlink control channel can be appropriately judged even in a case where a plurality of numerologies are used.