Base Station Measurement Capability Coordination in Dual Connectivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

In LTE-NR dual connectivity and multi-RAT dual connectivity, the independent configuration of measurement capabilities by LTE and NR base stations can lead to exceeding the upper limits of measurement capabilities of user equipment, making it challenging to appropriately determine the measurement capability of user equipment in each radio access scheme.

Innovation Solution

A method where the master node and secondary node cooperate to determine the measurement capability of user equipment, considering upper limits, by exchanging information and adjusting the number of frequency layers and events to ensure compliance with defined limits, allowing for independent configuration of measurement operations for each radio access scheme.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the measurement capability is determined independently by each base station (LTE and NR), then the configuration of measurement operations can be performed independently for each radio access scheme, but the sum of measurement capabilities may exceed the upper limit defined for user equipment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent configuration capabilityVSAvoidmeasurement capability compliance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the measurement capability determination process between LTE and NR base stations by introducing a coordination mechanism. The master node determines the measurement capability for one radio access scheme and notifies the secondary node, which then determines the capability for the other scheme while ensuring the sum does not exceed the upper limit. This combining approach resolves the contradiction by maintaining independent configuration capability while adding coordination to ensure compliance with user equipment limits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If the measurement capability upper limit is strictly enforced, then user equipment capabilities are not exceeded, but the flexibility in configuring measurement operations for each radio access scheme is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement capability complianceVSAvoidconfiguration flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a dynamic measurement capability determination process where the master node and secondary node can adjust the measurement capabilities based on real-time conditions. The master node determines a capability value for one scheme and notifies the secondary node, which then determines the capability for the other scheme within the remaining budget. This dynamic adjustment mechanism allows flexible configuration while ensuring the sum does not exceed the upper limit, resolving the contradiction between compliance and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3691329B1Base station and measurement capability determination method
Publication Date: 2023.10.25 NTT DOCOMO INC
  • EP3691329B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3691329B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3691329B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A base station of a first radio access scheme that provides dual connectivity to a user equipment together with a secondary node of a second radio access scheme includes a measurement capability adjusting unit that provides to the secondary node a candidate for a measurement capability of the user equipment in the first radio access scheme or a candidate for a measurement capability of the user equipment in the second radio access scheme and determines the measurement capability of the user equipment in the first radio access scheme on the basis of a response from the secondary node and a measurement control unit that controls a measurement operation of the user equipment in the first radio access scheme on the basis of the determined measurement capability.