Wireless Node Unified PDCCH Scheduling Across Multiple Carriers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems, such as 5G NR, lack the capability to simultaneously schedule PDSCHs or PUSCHs across multiple carriers using a single PDCCH, leading to inefficiencies and increased hardware complexity.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that allow for simultaneous scheduling of PDSCHs or PUSCHs across multiple carriers by using a unified solution for different wireless communication scenarios, including carrier aggregation, dual connectivity, and other advanced systems, by monitoring PDCCH candidates with specific aggregation levels and search space sets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If scheduling is performed on corresponding carriers or PDCCHs for multiple scheduled carriers, then scheduling capability is maintained according to existing standards, but hardware complexity increases and cost rises

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling capabilityVSAvoidhardware complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the scheduling function for multiple carriers into a single PDCCH on a single carrier. Specifically, one PDCCH can simultaneously schedule PDSCHs or PUSCHs across multiple carriers by including resource allocation information for each carrier in the DCI format, thereby reducing the number of PDCCHs needed and lowering hardware complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables a single PDCCH to perform multiple scheduling functions across different carriers. The DCI format is designed to include carrier-specific resource allocation fields, allowing one PDCCH to universally schedule resources on multiple carriers simultaneously, making the system more efficient and cost-effective

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

2Measurement precision

If multiple PDCCHs are used to schedule multiple carriers, then scheduling precision is maintained, but control channel capacity is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling precisionVSAvoidcontrol channel capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple scheduling functions into a single PDCCH by extending the DCI format to include resource allocation information for multiple carriers. This merging approach increases control channel capacity while maintaining scheduling precision through carefully designed field structures that preserve carrier-specific scheduling details

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If separate PDCCHs are configured for each carrier, then scheduling accuracy is ensured, but system efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling accuracyVSAvoidsystem efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal PDCCH structure that can schedule multiple carriers simultaneously while maintaining carrier-specific scheduling accuracy. The DCI format includes efficient resource allocation fields for each carrier, enabling one PDCCH to accurately schedule resources across multiple carriers, thereby improving system efficiency without sacrificing scheduling precision

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

Data Source

PatentEP4601385A1Method and apparatus for use in wireless communication node
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 APOGEE 5G GLOBAL LLC
  • EP4601385A1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
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  • EP4601385A1 patent drawingFigure 9~11

AI summary

The present application discloses a method and apparatus for use in a wireless communication node. A node receives a first information block, the first information block being used for determining a first cell set, and the first cell set comprising a plurality of cells; and the node monitors a plurality of PDCCH candidates, wherein the plurality of PDCCH candidates comprise at least one PDCCH candidate belonging to a first search space set; a first index value is equal to an index value of the first search space set, and the first index value is a non-negative integer; a feature DCI format is a DCI format for the first search space set; the upper limit of the number of cells for which the feature DCI format is used for scheduling is greater than 1; at least one of the plurality of PDCCH candidates uses a first aggregation level, and the first aggregation level is a positive integer; the index value is equal to the first index value and all search space sets for the first cell set comprise an equal number of PDCCH candidates using the first aggregation level. The present application reduces the complexity.