Influence on uplink data transmission due to cell deactivation

Abstract

Data transmission in a cellular network system is controlled according to cell deactivation based on a quality of service (QoS) of a user equipment. And the network cell determines the time interval of uplink data transmission of the user equipment according to the service quality of the user equipment. Based on whether a deactivation time of a cell serving the user equipment expires before a time interval, the user equipment may trigger a handover to a target cell before the deactivation time expires.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to cellular networks, and more particularly to user equipment (UE) and cells for improving network energy saving in both cell transmission and reception in a cellular network. Background Art

[0002] The energy efficiency of user equipment in cellular network systems has been extensively studied. However, in order to promote more environmentally conscious cellular network systems, techniques for improving network energy savings in both user equipment and cells have been considered. Therefore, techniques in both cell transmission and reception have been considered to improve network energy savings. For example, network energy savings can be accomplished by dynamically and semi-statically achieving more efficient operation and achieving finer transmission and reception granularity adaptation in one or more network energy saving techniques in the time domain, frequency domain, spatial domain, and power domain, utilizing potential feedback from user equipment, and information exchange / coordination through network interfaces (3GPP RP-213554, 3GPP TSG RAN Meeting #94e, December 6-17, 2021). Summary of the invention

[0003] Aspects of embodiments of the present application are directed to techniques including time intervals that enable network energy savings while avoiding unnecessary handover of user equipment when one or more cells are turned off and the user equipment initiates an uplink (UL) data transmission.

[0004] According to one aspect of the embodiment, a cellular network system is provided, the cellular network system comprising a user equipment and a network cell, the network cell being configured to determine a time interval for uplink data transmission of the user equipment according to the quality of service of the user equipment, and sending the time interval to the user equipment. The user equipment is configured to compare the remaining deactivation time of the network cell with the time interval, and perform uplink data transmission in the network cell or in a target cell based on the result of comparing the deactivation time with the time interval.

[0005] According to one aspect of an embodiment, a user equipment is provided, which includes a transceiver and a control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to receive a time interval for the user equipment based on a quality of service requirement of the user equipment from a network cell serving the user equipment, compare a remaining deactivation time of the network cell with the time interval, and control the transceiver to perform uplink data transmission in the network cell or in a target cell based on the comparison result of the deactivation time and the time interval.

[0006] According to one aspect of the embodiment, a method for controlling data transmission in a cellular network system by a user equipment according to cell deactivation is provided. The method comprises: receiving a time interval of the user equipment based on a quality of service requirement of the user equipment from a network cell serving the user equipment, comparing a remaining deactivation time of the network cell with the time interval, and performing uplink data transmission in the network cell or in a target cell based on a comparison result of the deactivation time with the time interval.

[0007] Technical issues

[0008] To provide network energy saving, for example, one or more cells may be switched off when the expected traffic volume is below a fixed threshold. However, if one or more cells are switched off, unnecessary handover of user equipment may occur, for example when the user equipment initiates an uplink (UL) data transmission.

[0009] Therefore, when one or more cells are turned off and a user equipment initiates an uplink (UL) data transmission, techniques are desired to achieve network energy savings while also avoiding unnecessary handovers of user equipment.

[0010] Solution to the problem

[0011] In view of the above, various aspects of embodiments of the present application relate to the behavior of user equipment and cells in a cellular network system, which maintains network energy conservation when the cell is turned off and the user equipment initiates uplink (UL) data transmission, while avoiding unnecessary switching of the user equipment. Specifically, a time interval is configured for the user equipment. With reference to the deactivation time of the cell, the user equipment can control whether to trigger switching or send uplink data based on the time interval and the deactivation time.

[0012] Beneficial Effects

[0013] Aspects of embodiments of the present application provide a technique based on a time interval of a user equipment and a deactivation time of a cell, which eliminates unnecessary handover of the user equipment when uplink data transmission is required and the serving cell is deactivated.

[0014] Aspects of the embodiments of the present application provide a technology based on a time interval of a user equipment and a deactivation time of a cell, which provides seamless switching of the user equipment when uplink data transmission is required and a serving cell is deactivated.

[0015] Aspects of embodiments of the present application provide a technique based on a time interval of a user equipment and a deactivation time of a cell, which eliminates unnecessary handover of the user equipment when uplink data transmission and low quality of service (QoS) are required and the serving cell is deactivated.

[0016] Aspects of embodiments of the present application provide a technique based on a time interval of a user equipment and a deactivation time of a cell, which provides seamless switching of the user equipment when uplink data transmission and high quality of service (QoS) are required and the serving cell is deactivated.

[0017] Aspects of embodiments of the present application provide techniques for maintaining network energy conservation when one or more cells are turned off, while maintaining user equipment connectivity and quality of service (QoS) when the user equipment initiates uplink (UL) data transmission. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The above and other aspects will be more clearly understood from the following brief description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0019] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a cellular network system according to an embodiment;

[0020] Figure 2 is a flow chart showing a method of controlling data transmission due to cell deactivation according to an embodiment;

[0021] Figure 3 is a flow chart showing a method of controlling data transmission due to cell deactivation according to an embodiment;

[0022] Figure 4 is a time diagram showing control of data transmission due to cell deactivation according to an embodiment; and

[0023] Figure 5 is a time diagram showing control of data transmission due to cell deactivation according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a cellular network system according to an embodiment.

[0025] like Figure 1 As shown, the cellular network system 100 includes a user equipment (UE) 105 and a cell 150. Although for convenience, the Figure 1 Only a single user equipment 110 and cell 120 will be discussed, but one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the cellular network system 100 may include multiple user equipments and multiple cells, which together form the cellular network system 100 .

[0026] The cellular network system 100 may support cellular network communications according to one or more cellular communication standards, such as third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), long term evolution (LTE), fifth generation (5G), sixth generation (6G), etc. The cellular network system 100 may implement wireless data communications according to one or more of Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Universal Mobile Telephone System (UMTS), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Enhanced Data for Global Evolution (EDGE), etc.

[0027] The user equipment 105 includes a control unit 110 and a transceiver 120 .

[0028] The control unit 110 includes a memory 115, a processor 117, and a bus 119. Figure 1 The user device 105 is illustrated as including a memory 115 and a processor 117 , but one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the user device 105 may include additional components for performing the cellular transmit and receive functions of the user device 105 .

[0029] The memory 115 may be a random access memory (RAM), solid-state or flash memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or any other suitable data storage element for storing data and / or operating instructions, computer readable code, application programming, etc. for the user device 105.

[0030] The processor 117 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, or other suitable data processing element for controlling the operation of the user device 105 by executing operating instructions, computer readable code, application programming, etc. stored in the memory 115 of the user device 105.

[0031] The memory 115 and processor 117 may communicate via one or more buses 119 .

[0032] Despite Figure 1 The memory 115 and processor 117 are shown as being embodied as separate components connected via a bus 119, but a person skilled in the art will appreciate that the memory 115 and processor 117 may be integrated into a single component, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or other suitable electronic component for performing the cellular transmit and receive functions of the user device 105.

[0033] The transceiver 120 may be a communication circuit system configured to perform wireless communication between the control unit 110 of the user equipment 105 and other entities of the cellular network (such as the cell 150 or other user equipment). The transceiver 120 may be configured to perform wireless communication according to one or more cellular communication networks or protocols (such as 3G, 4G, LTE, 5G, 6G, GSM, GPRS, UMTS, CDMA, EDGE, etc.).

[0034] The transceiver 120 may include a control unit 125 and an antenna 127. Figure 1 The transceiver 120 is illustrated as including a control unit 125 and an antenna 127, but persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the transceiver 120 may include additional components for performing cellular communication functions of the user equipment.

[0035] The control unit 125 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, or other suitable data processing element for controlling the operation of the transceiver 120 by executing operating instructions, computer readable code, application programming, etc. stored in the memory 115 of the user device 105 or the transceiver 120.

[0036] The transceiver 120 may also include a memory, such as a random access memory (RAM), solid-state or flash memory, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or any other suitable data storage element for storing data and / or operating instructions, computer readable code, application programming, etc. for the transceiver 120.

[0037] Antenna 127 may be a multi-band mobile antenna configured to support one or more communication protocols suitable for V2X communication. Antenna 127 may be an isotropic, omnidirectional, or other antenna structurally configured to wirelessly transmit or receive data through cellular network system 100 via cell 150.

[0038] The control unit 125 and antenna 127 may communicate via one or more buses 129 .

[0039] Despite Figure 1 The control unit 110 and the control unit 125 are illustrated as being embodied as separate components, but one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the control unit 110 and the control unit 125 may be integrated into a single component for controlling the operation of the user device 105 .

[0040] The cell 150 may include a control unit 160 and a transceiver 170. The cell 150 may be referred to as a network cell or a Node B, such as an eNodeB, a gNB, etc.

[0041] The control unit 160 includes a memory 165, a processor 167 and a bus 169. Figure 1 Control unit 160 is illustrated as including memory 165 , processor 167 , and bus 169 , but one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that control unit 160 may include additional components for performing the functions of cell 150 .

[0042] Memory 165 may be random access memory (RAM), solid-state or flash memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or any other suitable data storage element for storing data and / or operating instructions, computer readable code, application programming, etc. for cell 150.

[0043] Processor 167 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, or other suitable data processing element for controlling the operation of cell 150 by executing operating instructions, computer readable code, application programming, etc. stored in memory 165 of cell 150 .

[0044] The memory 165 and processor 167 may communicate via one or more buses 419 .

[0045] Despite Figure 1 The memory 165 and processor 167 are shown as being embodied as separate components connected via a bus 169, but one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the memory 165 and processor 419 may be integrated into a single component, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or other suitable electronic component for performing the functions of the cell 150.

[0046] The transceiver 170 may be a communication circuit system configured to perform wireless communication between the control unit 160 of the cell 150 and a user equipment (such as the user equipment 105). The transceiver 170 may be configured to perform wireless communication according to one or more cellular communication networks or protocols (such as 3G, 4G, LTE, 5G, 6G, GSM, GPRS, UMTS, CDMA, EDGE, etc.).

[0047] Transceiver 170 may include control unit 175 and antenna 177. Although transceiver 170 may include control unit 175 and antenna 177, persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that transceiver 170 may include additional components for performing cellular transmission and reception functions of cell 150.

[0048] The control unit 175 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, or other suitable data processing element for controlling the operation of the transceiver 170 by executing operating instructions, computer readable code, application programming, etc. stored in the memory 165 of the cell 150 or the transceiver 170.

[0049] The transceiver 170 may also include a memory, such as a random access memory (RAM), solid-state or flash memory, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or any other suitable data storage element for storing data and / or operating instructions, computer readable code, application programming, etc. for the transceiver 170.

[0050] Antenna 177 may be a multi-band mobile antenna configured to support one or more cellular communication protocols of cellular network system 100. Antenna 177 may be an isotropic, omnidirectional, or other antenna structurally configured to wirelessly transmit or receive data over cellular network system 100.

[0051] The control unit 175 and antenna 177 may communicate via one or more buses 179 .

[0052] Despite Figure 1 The control unit 160 and the control unit 175 are illustrated as being embodied as separate components, but one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the control unit 160 and the control unit 175 may be integrated into a single component for controlling the operation of the cell 150 .

[0053] Figure 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method of controlling data transmission due to cell deactivation according to an embodiment.

[0054] Figure 2 The method 200 for controlling data transmission due to cell deactivation shown in FIG. Figure 1 The cell 150 described herein is implemented as a cell. Figure 2 The method 200 for controlling data transmission due to cell deactivation shown can be used to control communication with user equipment (such as Figure 1 Cellular communication of a user equipment 105) in the cellular network system 100 described.

[0055] In step 210, the cell may configure the time interval for the user equipment. The cell may set the time interval based on the latency or quality of service (QoS) requirements of the user equipment. For example, if the quality of service required by the user equipment is low, the cell may set the time interval to be longer, such as one second or longer. Alternatively, if the quality of service required by the user equipment is high, the cell may set the time interval to be shorter, such as 50ms, 100ms, etc.

[0056] The cell may set the time interval based on a high priority logical channel (LCH). For example, the cell may set the time interval based on the highest priority logical channel of the user equipment.

[0057] The cell may send the time interval to the user equipment in step 220. The cell may send the time interval to the user equipment via a dedicated radio resource control (RRC) message such as an RRC reconfiguration message in UMTS, LTE and 5G over the air interface (Uu).

[0058] In step 230, the cell transmits the context associated with the user equipment to the target cell via an X2 interface, which connects neighboring cells to coordinate and transfer radio resources, thereby achieving seamless handover of the user equipment.

[0059] The cell enters the out-of-use mode in step 240. The cell remains in the out-of-use mode during the out-of-use period.

[0060] In step 250, the cell enters active mode after the deactivation period has passed. Typically, when entering active mode, neighboring cells can configure measurement resources for the user equipment under their association, and if a handover is triggered, a handover back to the activated cell will occur as usual. However, if a user equipment handover does not occur during the deactivation period, as discussed below, unnecessary handover of the user equipment is prevented.

[0061] Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method of controlling data transmission due to cell deactivation according to an embodiment. Figure 4 is a time diagram showing control of data transmission due to cell deactivation according to an embodiment. Figure 5 is a time diagram showing control of data transmission due to cell deactivation according to an embodiment.

[0062] Figure 3 The method 300 shown for controlling data transmission due to cell deactivation may be as described with respect to Figure 1 The user device 105 described here is executed by the user device. Figure 3 The method 300 for controlling data transmission due to cell deactivation shown may be used to control communication with user equipment (eg, Figure 1 Cellular communication of a user equipment 105) in the cellular network system 100 described.

[0063] In step 310, the user equipment may receive a time interval from the serving cell. The time interval may be set based on the latency or quality of service (QoS) requirements of the user equipment sent to the cell. For example, if the quality of service required by the user equipment is low, the time interval may be increased, such as one second or longer. Alternatively, if the quality of service required by the user equipment is high, the time interval may be reduced, such as 50ms, 100ms, etc.

[0064] The quality of service may be determined by the user equipment based on one or more applications executed by the user equipment, which may utilize one or more logical channels to receive and transmit data over the cellular network.

[0065] The user equipment may also receive the deactivation time and / or deactivation period from the cell. Therefore, the user equipment may determine the time and period during which the cell may be deactivated to receive uplink data from the user equipment based on the deactivation time and / or deactivation period.

[0066] The UE may receive the time intervals and deactivation periods and / or deactivation times from the cell via dedicated Radio Resource Control (RRC) messages such as RRC reconfiguration messages in UMTS, LTE and 5G over the air interface (Uu).

[0067] In step 320, the user equipment determines to send uplink data to the target cell.

[0068] In step 330, the user equipment compares the remaining deactivation time of the cell with the time interval for the UE to send uplink data to the target cell.

[0069] Figure 4 A time diagram illustrating control of data transmission due to cell deactivation according to an embodiment is shown. Figure 3 and Figure 4 In step 340, if the user equipment determines that the remaining deactivation time of the cell is less than the time interval for the user equipment to send uplink data to the target cell, the user equipment waits until the deactivation time of the serving cell expires. When the deactivation time expires, the serving cell transitions to an activated state, and the user equipment performs uplink data transmission in the serving cell.

[0070] Figure 5 A time diagram illustrating control of data transmission due to cell deactivation according to an embodiment is shown. Figure 3 and Figure 5 In step 350, if the user equipment determines that the remaining deactivation time of the cell is greater than the time interval of the user equipment for sending uplink data to the target cell, the user equipment does not wait until the deactivation time of the serving cell expires. The serving cell deactivation serves as an overlay condition for the general conditional handover procedure. Since the serving cell has transferred the context of the user equipment to the target cell(s) of the user equipment via X2 signaling, the user equipment can directly send uplink (UL) data to the target cell without performing a random access channel (RACH) procedure.

[0071] In step 360, before performing the handover, the user equipment checks the quality of the inter-cell and intra-cell parameters. If the user equipment identifies a cell with sufficient quality, then in step 370, the user equipment performs a handover procedure with the new cell and performs uplink data transmission with the new cell. Otherwise, if the user equipment does not identify a cell with sufficient quality, then in step 340, the user equipment waits for the expiration of the deactivation period. The uplink data transmission is then performed via the serving cell.

[0072] Therefore, data transmission delay and signaling overhead can be reduced.

[0073] In addition, the decision on handover may be selected by the user equipment based on the QoS (delay requirement) of the user equipment. For example, if the quality of service is low, the user equipment may determine to wait until the deactivation period of the current cell expires. If the quality of service is high, the user equipment may alternatively attempt to transmit using the target cell.

[0074] Aspects of the embodiments described herein may be implemented as computer programs written as computer executable code or instructions, whether compiled or uncompiled. The computer programs may be recorded on one or more computer readable media, such as disks, CD-ROMs, or other memories (such as RAM, ROM, flash or solid-state memory, etc.). When the computer program is executed by a processor, microprocessor, or other processing device, the processor may control a device (such as a user equipment or a cell in a cellular network) to provide uplink data transmission in consideration of cellular network power conservation by deactivating cells in the cellular network.

[0075] Industrial Applicability

[0076] Embodiments of the present application relate to cellular communication networks, and more particularly, provide network energy savings where cells can be deactivated while maintaining adequate data transmission, which is important for network reliability.

[0077] List of Reference Numerals

[0078] 100 Cellular Network System

[0079] 105 User Equipment

[0080] 110 Control unit

[0081] 115 Memory

[0082] 117 Processor

[0083] 119 Bus

[0084] 120 Transceiver

[0085] 125 Control unit

[0086] 127 Antenna

[0087] 129 Bus

[0088] 150 Community

[0089] 160 Control Unit

[0090] 165 Memory

[0091] 167 Processor

[0092] 169 Bus

[0093] 170 Transceiver

[0094] 175 Control Unit

[0095] 177 Antenna

[0096] 179 Bus

Claims

1. A cellular network system, comprising: User equipment; as well as a network cell, the network cell being configured to determine a time interval for uplink data transmission of the user equipment according to the quality of service of the user equipment, and to send the time interval to the user equipment, The user equipment is configured to compare the remaining deactivation time of the network cell with the time interval, and perform uplink data transmission in the network cell or in the target cell based on the result of comparing the deactivation time with the time interval.

2. The cellular network system according to claim 1, wherein: The user equipment receives the time interval from the network cell via a radio resource control (RRC) message.

3. The cellular network system according to claim 1, wherein: The user equipment is configured to determine that the remaining deactivation time is less than the time interval, and to perform uplink data transmission in the network cell when the remaining deactivation time expires.

4. The cellular network system according to claim 1, wherein: The user equipment is configured to determine that the remaining inactivity time is greater than the time interval, perform handover from the network cell to a target network cell, and perform uplink data transmission in the target network cell.

5. The cellular network system according to claim 4, wherein: The user equipment is configured to perform a handover from the network cell to the target network cell before expiration of the remaining deactivation time.

6. The cellular network system according to claim 5, wherein: The network cell is configured to transfer the context of the user equipment to the target cell and deactivate the network cell during the deactivation time period.

7. A user equipment comprising: Transceiver; as well as A control unit is configured to receive a time interval for the user equipment based on a quality of service requirement of the user equipment from a network cell serving the user equipment, compare a remaining inactivity time of the network cell with the time interval, and control the transceiver to perform uplink data transmission in the network cell or in a target cell based on a comparison result of the inactivity time with the time interval.

8. The user equipment according to claim 7, wherein: The control unit is configured to control the transceiver to receive the time interval from the network cell via a radio resource control (RRC) message.

9. The user equipment according to claim 7, wherein: The control unit is configured to determine that the remaining deactivation time is less than the time interval, and control the transceiver to perform uplink data transmission in the network cell when the remaining deactivation time expires.

10. The user equipment according to claim 7, wherein: The control unit is configured to determine that the remaining deactivation time is greater than the time interval, perform a handover from the network cell to a target network cell, and control the transceiver to perform uplink data transmission in the target network cell.

11. The user equipment according to claim 10, wherein: The control unit is configured to perform a handover from the network cell to the target network cell before expiration of the remaining deactivation time.

12. A method for controlling data transmission in a cellular network system by a user equipment according to cell deactivation, the method comprising: a time interval for receiving, from a network cell serving the user equipment, a message to the user equipment based on a quality of service requirement of the user equipment; comparing a remaining outage time of the network cell with the time interval; as well as Uplink data transmission is performed in the network cell or in the target cell based on a comparison result of the deactivation time and the time interval.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein: Receiving the time interval includes receiving the time interval from the network cell via a radio resource control (RRC) message.

14. The method according to claim 12, further comprising: Determining that the remaining inactivity time is less than the time interval; as well as The uplink data transmission is performed in the network cell when the remaining deactivation time expires.

15. The method according to claim 12, further comprising: Determining that the remaining inactivity time is greater than the time interval; performing a handover from the network cell to a target network cell; as well as Uplink data transmission is performed in the target network cell.

16. The user equipment according to claim 15, wherein: Performing the handover includes performing a handover from the network cell to the target network cell before the remaining deactivation time expires.

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