Wideband Coverage Enhancement via DCI Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Next-generation wireless communication systems face challenges in providing wideband coverage enhancement for IoT devices, particularly in locations with significant signal degradation, such as deep indoors, where existing LTE systems struggle due to scarcity of licensed spectrum and high power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of wideband coverage enhancement (WCE) techniques, including time and frequency domain repetition, transport block size scaling, and power boosting, to improve link quality and reduce the number of next-generation node Bs deployed, utilizing advanced resource allocation methods and new DCI formats to optimize communication in unlicensed spectrum bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If time and frequency domain repetition techniques are implemented for coverage enhancement, then link quality is improved, but resource consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the coverage enhancement process by introducing a dedicated Coverage Enhancement Indication (CEI) field in DCI formats. This segmentation allows the system to separately indicate whether coverage enhancement is needed without affecting the entire resource allocation structure, thereby improving link quality through targeted repetition while minimizing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic resource allocation based on the CEI indication. When CEI is set to indicate coverage enhancement, the system dynamically adjusts resource allocation parameters such as transport block size scaling and repetition factors. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize link quality for IoT devices in challenging environments while efficiently managing resources based on actual needs.
2Length of moving object
If transport block size scaling is applied to enhance coverage, then coverage range is extended, but data transmission efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transport block size scaling factor that can be dynamically applied based on the CEI indication. This parameter change allows the system to reduce transport block size for devices requiring coverage enhancement, thereby extending coverage range. The scaling is selectively applied only when needed, minimizing the impact on overall data transmission efficiency for devices that do not require enhancement.
3Reliability
If power boosting is used to improve link quality, then coverage is enhanced, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables IoT devices to self-identify their coverage needs through the CEI indication mechanism. Devices that experience signal degradation autonomously indicate their need for coverage enhancement, allowing the network to apply power boosting selectively. This self-service approach ensures that power boosting is applied only to devices that require it, minimizing overall power consumption while maintaining link quality for affected devices.
4Reliability
If advanced resource allocation methods are implemented for wideband coverage enhancement, then coverage quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the coverage enhancement decision logic from complex device processing by introducing a simple CEI indication field in downlink control information. This extraction allows the network to manage coverage enhancement decisions centrally, while devices only need to monitor and respond to the simple CEI bit. This significantly reduces device processing complexity while maintaining advanced resource allocation capabilities for improved coverage quality.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 2c
AI summary
Technology for a user equipment (UE) operable for wideband coverage enhancement is disclosed. The UE can decode downlink control information (DCI) received in a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). The UE can identify a transport 5 block size (TBS) scaling factor from the DCI. The UE can identify a repetition number from the DCI, wherein the repetition number configures the UE to receive or transmit one or more of data and control channel information that is repeated, in the time domain, a selected number of times based on the repetition number. The UE can encode one or more of data or control information, for transmission to a next generation node B (gNB), based 10 on the TBS scaling factor and the repetition number.