Autonomous Cell Activation for Low-Overhead Uplink Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for activating and deactivating cells in communication networks result in high signaling overhead and prolonged activation/deactivation times, which hinder energy saving for both base stations and terminals due to the need for explicit signaling and delayed procedures.
Innovation Solution
The terminal and base station determine if they are allowed to activate or deactivate cells carrying uplink control messages based on configured conditions, allowing autonomous activation/deactivation without explicit signaling, thereby reducing overhead and enabling timely cell management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If explicit signaling (MAC-CE or RRC message) is used to deactivate cells carrying uplink control messages and associated cells, then the cell deactivation can be achieved, but the signaling overhead increases and the activation/deactivation time becomes very long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring deactivation conditions and parameters (such as R13 parameter, time window length, associated cell lists) in advance through RRC signaling. When the predetermined conditions are met (e.g., no uplink control messages in the time window), the terminal can immediately deactivate cells without waiting for explicit MAC-CE or RRC deactivation commands, thus significantly reducing the activation/deactivation time while maintaining reliable cell management
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables self-service by allowing the terminal to autonomously determine whether to deactivate cells carrying uplink control messages and associated cells based on pre-configured conditions and parameters. The terminal independently monitors uplink control message status, evaluates deactivation conditions (such as time window checks), and executes deactivation decisions without requiring continuous network intervention, thereby reducing signaling overhead and acceleration the deactivation process
2Reliability
If explicit signaling is used to activate/start cells, then the cell can be activated, but the signaling overhead increases and the activation procedure becomes delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring activation conditions and parameters (such as R13 parameter, time window length, associated cell lists) in advance through RRC signaling. When the predetermined conditions are met (e.g., uplink control messages are present in the time window), the terminal can immediately activate cells without waiting for explicit MAC-CE or RRC activation commands, thus significantly reducing the activation time while maintaining reliable cell management
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables self-service by allowing the terminal to autonomously determine whether to activate cells carrying uplink control messages and associated cells based on pre-configured conditions and parameters. The terminal independently monitors uplink control message status, evaluates activation conditions, and executes activation decisions without requiring continuous network intervention, thereby reducing signaling overhead and accelerating the activation process
3Reliability
If the cell carrying uplink control message is kept always active to forward messages, then the uplink control message forwarding is ensured, but the energy consumption of base station and terminal increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by introducing a time window mechanism (configured by R13 parameter) to periodically monitor the presence of uplink control messages before deactivation decisions. Instead of continuously keeping cells active or using continuous explicit signaling, the system checks for uplink control messages at periodic intervals (within the configured time window), enabling energy-efficient cell deactivation when no messages are present while ensuring message forwarding capability when messages are detected
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables self-service by allowing the terminal to autonomously determine whether to deactivate cells based on the presence or absence of uplink control messages within the configured time window. The terminal independently monitors message status and executes deactivation decisions without network intervention, enabling the cell to be deactivated (saving energy) when no uplink control messages are present, while automatically remaining active when messages need to be forwarded
Data Source
AI summary
Provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure are a method and apparatus for activating/deactivating a cell, and a storage medium. The method comprises: according to a base-station configuration condition, a terminal determining whether to activate/deactivate a cell carrying an uplink control message and/or a cell associated with the cell carrying the uplink control message.