Anchor Cell Paging for SSB-less 5G UEs
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Solution Overview
Problem
5G New Radio (NR) networks face significant energy consumption challenges due to denser deployments, which necessitates efficient network energy saving (NES) solutions. Currently, SSB/SIB1-less operations are limited to RRC connected UEs and do not effectively serve UEs in RRC idle or inactive states, posing challenges in synchronization and paging procedures.
Innovation Solution
The proposed mechanism dynamically redirects UEs expected to be paged to an SSB/SIB1-less cell by sending paging information via an anchor cell. This allows RRC idle and inactive UEs to perform paging-related actions in the SSB/SIB1-less cell, enabling synchronization and information transfer without reactivating the SSB/SIB1-less cell prematurely, thus maintaining energy saving gains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If SSB/SIB1-less operations are implemented for RRC idle and inactive UEs, then energy consumption is reduced, but synchronization and paging procedures become complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an anchor cell as an intermediary that transmits paging information to UEs in RRC idle/inactive states. The anchor cell receives paging information from the network and redirects UEs to the SSB/SIB1-less cell for actual paging procedures, eliminating the need for UEs to directly monitor synchronization signals in the SSB/SIB1-less cell while maintaining energy saving benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the cell into two functional parts: the anchor cell (first cell) that handles synchronization signal transmission and UE camping, and the SSB/SIB1-less cell (second cell) that handles paging operations. This segmentation allows each cell to perform its specific function efficiently without requiring the SSB/SIB1-less cell to transmit synchronization signals continuously
2Reliability
If UEs monitor paging occasions in SSB/SIB1-less cells, then paging capability is maintained, but energy saving gains are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor cell acts as a mediator that receives paging information from the network and redirects UEs to the SSB/SIB1-less cell. This allows UEs to maintain paging capability in the SSB/SIB1-less cell without the cell needing to transmit synchronization signals, thus preserving energy saving gains while ensuring reliable paging operations
3Loss of time
If SSB/SIB1-less cell is activated prematurely to serve RRC idle UEs, then paging latency is reduced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the anchor cell transmit paging information to UEs in advance before the SSB/SIB1-less cell needs to be activated. The anchor cell receives paging information from the network and redirects UEs to the SSB/SIB1-less cell, allowing UEs to prepare for paging procedures without premature cell activation, thus reducing both latency and energy consumption
Data Source
AI summary
Example embodiments relate to devices, methods, apparatuses and computer readable mediums for paging information and paging-related actions. A terminal device may receive via a first cell first paging information related to a second cell or another carrier of the first cell, and to perform a paging-related action via the second cell or said another carrier based on the first paging information. Synchronization signals are not transmitted in the second cell or said another carrier. The paging-related action may include monitoring for second paging information in the second cell or said another carrier if the first paging information includes a paging early indication, a wake-up signal, or a scheduling message for scheduling a paging message, or performing at least one action for transferring information via the second cell or said another carrier if the first paging information includes a paging message or a wake-up signal.