User Terminal DCI Handling for Multi-Point Downlink Reception

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Solution Overview

Problem

In future radio communication systems, controlling the reception of non-coherent downlink signals from multiple transmission points is challenging, leading to potential deterioration of communication quality due to inadequate handling of rate matching and quasi-co-location (QCL) processing.

Innovation Solution

The user terminal determines rate matching and quasi-co-location (QCL) for physical shared channels based on specific fields within downlink control information (DCI), including transmission configuration indicators (TCI) to manage communication with multiple transmission points effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If non-coherent downlink signals from multiple transmission points are transmitted, then communication capacity and spectral efficiency are improved, but receiving processing complexity and communication quality deterioration increase due to inadequate rate matching and QCL handling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication capacityVSAvoidreceiving processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the DCI structure by introducing separate fields for rate matching information and TCI information. The rate matching indicator field separately specifies rate matching patterns for each transmission point, while the TCI field separately indicates quasi-co-location information. This segmentation allows the UE to independently process rate matching and QCL for multiple transmission points, reducing receiving processing complexity while maintaining the ability to receive non-coherent signals from multiple points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic indication mechanisms where the DCI fields for rate matching and TCI can be dynamically configured and interpreted based on the specific transmission scenario. The UE dynamically determines how to interpret these fields based on higher-layer configuration and current transmission conditions, enabling flexible handling of multiple transmission points without fixed complex processing requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If multiple transmission points are used for downlink transmission, then spectral efficiency is improved, but communication quality deteriorates due to inadequate handling of rate matching and QCL processing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectral efficiencyVSAvoidcommunication quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control information by introducing separate dedicated fields: a rate matching indicator field that separately specifies rate matching patterns for each transmission point, and a TCI field that separately indicates quasi-co-location information for each transmission point. This segmentation ensures that rate matching and QCL processing are handled independently and accurately for each transmission point, preventing communication quality deterioration while maintaining spectral efficiency benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by providing transmission-specific rate matching patterns and TCI information for each transmission point. Each transmission point receives customized rate matching instructions and QCL parameters tailored to its specific characteristics, ensuring optimal receiving processing for each individual transmission point rather than using a uniform approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If rate matching and QCL information are included in DCI for multiple transmission points, then receiving processing accuracy is improved, but DCI size and control information complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereceiving processing accuracyVSAvoidDCI structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the DCI structure into distinct functional fields: a rate matching indicator field containing rate matching pattern information, a TCI field containing quasi-co-location information, and other standard DCI fields. This segmentation organizes the control information in a structured manner that improves receiving processing accuracy while keeping the DCI structure manageable and systematic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs the DCI structure to serve multiple functions: the same DCI format can indicate rate matching and TCI information for a single transmission point or for multiple transmission points, depending on configuration. The fields are designed to be universally applicable across different transmission scenarios, reducing the need for completely separate control mechanisms.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3793250B1User terminal and wireless communication method
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 NTT DOCOMO INC
  • EP3793250B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP3793250B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3793250B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To prevent deterioration of communication quality even when communication is performed by using a plurality of transmission points, one aspect of a user terminal according to the present disclosure includes: a receiving section that receives a physical shared channel transmitted from a plurality of transmission points, based on certain downlink control information; and a control section that determines at least one of rate matching, quasi-co-location, and a resource to be assigned for the physical shared channel transmitted from the plurality of transmission points, based on the downlink control information.