Virtual Cell Grouping for Wireless Signaling Overhead Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face high signaling overhead when scheduling communications across multiple cells with different radio frequency spectrum bands, especially when the frequency gap between these cells exceeds an operating band threshold.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of virtual cell grouping, where a network entity configures a group of cells at a user equipment (UE) to receive control signaling and resource allocation information on a per virtual cell group basis, allowing for efficient communication scheduling and cancellation across multiple cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate control signaling is transmitted for each cell in multi-cell communication, then each cell can be scheduled independently, but signaling overhead increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate control signals for individual cells into a single unified control signal that schedules multiple cells simultaneously. The network entity transmits one DCI message containing resource allocation information for multiple cells, reducing the quantity of control signaling while maintaining independent scheduling capability for each cell through separate resource allocation fields within the unified message.
2Reliability
If multiple cells with different frequency bands are used for communication, then communication reliability and capacity improve, but resource allocation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal resource allocation framework where a single control signal structure can allocate resources across multiple cells with different frequency bands. The DCI message contains cell-specific resource allocation information for multiple cells, allowing the same control mechanism to handle diverse frequency configurations without increasing operational complexity at the UE.
3Productivity
If virtual cell grouping is implemented to reduce signaling overhead, then control efficiency improves, but individual cell control flexibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the resource allocation information within the unified control signal into cell-specific portions. Each cell in the virtual group has dedicated resource allocation fields in the DCI message, allowing independent resource assignment while maintaining the efficiency benefits of unified signaling. This segmentation enables the system to balance between signaling efficiency and individual cell control flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A user equipment (UE) may receive control signaling from a network entity configuring a virtual cell group with multiple cells, where each cell may have a radio frequency spectrum band with a frequency gap that exceeds an operating band threshold. The network entity may transmit additional control signaling including information for the virtual cell group. In some cases, the additional control signaling may include resource allocation information for the virtual cell group, such that the UE may communicate multiple shared channels via different cells in the virtual cell group using the resources indicated in the resource allocation information. In some other cases, the additional control signaling may include a cancellation indication for the virtual cell group, such that the UE may refrain from communicating signals using one or more cells of the virtual cell group.