Antenna Switching Across Carrier Combinations for UE Scheduling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently determining antenna switching capabilities when transitioning from a baseline to a target carrier combination, particularly in scenarios involving contemporaneous carrier switching, which limits the effective utilization of transmit/receive resources and reduces communication throughput.

Innovation Solution

The method involves determining antenna switching capabilities based on a target carrier combination and carrier switching capabilities, using explicit or implicit indications to efficiently manage antenna switching, thereby optimizing resource utilization and enhancing communication efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If antenna switching is performed for a target carrier combination different from the baseline carrier combination, then the utilization of transmit/receive resources is improved, but the system complexity increases due to the need to determine antenna switching capabilities for multiple carrier combinations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna switching capabilityVSAvoidcarrier combination management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by enabling the antenna switching capability to function across multiple carrier combinations. The base station determines antenna switching capabilities for a target carrier combination (different from the baseline carrier combination) based on the indicated antenna switching capability, allowing the same capability indication to serve multiple carrier aggregation scenarios without requiring separate capability signaling for each combination.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the baseline carrier combination's antenna switching capability as an intermediary to determine the antenna switching capability for the target carrier combination. Instead of requiring direct capability indication for every possible carrier combination, the system uses the baseline capability as a reference point to derive capabilities for other combinations, reducing signaling overhead and system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If carrier switching is performed to transmit reference signals on different component carriers, then the number of estimable channels increases, but the throughput impact increases due to switching interruptions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of estimable channelsVSAvoidcommunication throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the user equipment indicate its antenna switching capability and carrier aggregation capability in advance, before actual carrier switching occurs. The base station uses these pre-indicated capabilities to determine the appropriate target carrier combination and schedule reference signal transmissions, thereby minimizing switching interruptions and throughput impact while maximizing the number of estimable channels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by allowing flexible switching between different carrier combinations based on determined capabilities. The system dynamically selects the target carrier combination for reference signal transmission considering both the antenna switching capability and the need to minimize throughput impact, adapting the switching behavior to current network conditions and capability assessments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3831105B1Carrier switching and antenna switching for a target carrier combination
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3831105B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3831105B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3831105B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a base station may receive information identifying one or more antenna switching capabilities and one or more carrier switching capabilities for a user equipment (UE), wherein the UE is associated with a baseline carrier combination; and determine an antenna switching capability for a target carrier combination based at least in part on the one or more antenna switching capabilities or the one or more carrier switching capabilities, wherein the target carrier combination is different than the baseline carrier combination. Numerous other aspects are provided.