Base Station Uplink Configuration Switching for 5G UE

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Solution Overview

Problem

5G UEs and gNBs face challenges in simultaneously using two-layer uplink and uplink Carrier Aggregation due to power constraints, leading to a trade-off between spectral efficiency and throughput, with disabling two-layer uplink resulting in loss of benefits such as higher throughput at near-cell positions.

Innovation Solution

A method for a base station to dynamically switch between two-layer uplink and uplink CA configurations based on radio conditions reported by the UE, using criteria such as signal strength and quality indicators to determine the optimal configuration for improved performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If two-layer uplink is used, then spectral efficiency is improved, but power consumption increases and cannot be used simultaneously with uplink CA

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectral efficiencyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between two-layer uplink and uplink CA configurations based on real-time radio conditions and UE position. The base station receives feedback about UE position and radio conditions, then adjusts the uplink configuration accordingly, allowing the system to adapt between spectral efficiency optimization (two-layer uplink) and power-friendly operation (uplink CA) without attempting to use both simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If two-layer uplink is disabled in favor of uplink CA, then power constraints are managed, but throughput is reduced especially at near-cell positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower constraint managementVSAvoidthroughput
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses dynamic configuration switching based on UE position feedback. When the UE is at near-cell positions where throughput is critical, the system activates two-layer uplink to maximize data rates. When the UE moves to farther positions or power management becomes priority, the system switches to uplink CA. This dynamic approach ensures throughput is optimized when possible while maintaining power constraint management overall.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The base station changes operational parameters (uplink configuration type) based on received UE position and radio condition feedback. By monitoring parameters like UE position, signal strength, and current configuration performance, the system adjusts the uplink configuration parameter to switch between two-layer uplink and uplink CA, optimizing throughput while managing power constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If a fixed uplink configuration is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to changing radio conditions and UE positions is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration management complexityVSAvoidadaptability to radio conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the UE reports its position and radio conditions to the base station. The base station uses this feedback to determine the optimal uplink configuration and sends switching commands to the UE. This feedback loop enables the system to adapt to changing radio conditions and UE positions without requiring complex autonomous decision-making at the UE side, keeping device complexity manageable while achieving high adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4164311B1Base station selection of UE uplink configuration
Publication Date: 2024.05.15 T MOBILE US INC
  • EP4164311B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4164311B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4164311B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A base station of a telecommunication network can determine whether a user equipment (UE) should use a two-layer uplink configuration or an uplink carrier aggregation (CA) configuration for uplink transmissions to the base station, based on radio condition metrics reported by the UE to the base station. If radio condition metrics reported by the UE satisfy two-layer uplink criteria, the base station can instruct the UE to switch to using the two-layer uplink configuration. If radio condition metrics reported by the UE do not satisfy the two-layer uplink criteria, the base station can instruct the UE to switch to using the uplink CA configuration.