Carrier Aggregation Mode Switching for Receive Chain Reuse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Communication devices face inefficiencies in utilizing receive chains during non-contiguous intra-band carrier aggregation due to interference and resource usage, as network entities may not be aware of available hardware resources after configuration changes.
Innovation Solution
Communication devices send information to network entities about supported modes indicating reduced receive chain usage, perform measurements, and switch modes based on these measurements to optimize resource utilization, allowing available chains to be utilized for additional carriers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the communication device operates in the first mode using more receive chains, then the reliability of receiving component carriers is improved, but the device complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The communication device dynamically switches between first and second modes based on measurement results. The mode selection is not fixed but adapts to current channel conditions, allowing the device to use more receive chains (first mode) when reliability is needed and fewer receive chains (second mode) when conditions permit, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the receive chains by switching between different modes. In the first mode, more receive chains are activated for higher reliability, while in the second mode, fewer receive chains are used to reduce complexity. The measurement results drive this parameter change, allowing optimal balancing of reliability and complexity based on actual channel conditions
2Productivity
If the communication device uses fewer receive chains in the second mode, then the resource efficiency is improved, but the ability to handle interference and maintain signal quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements a feedback mechanism where the communication device performs measurements on component carriers and uses the measurement results to determine mode switching. This feedback loop ensures that the device only switches to the more efficient second mode when measurements indicate that interference levels are acceptable, thus maintaining signal quality while improving resource efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
Before switching to the second mode with fewer receive chains, the communication device performs preliminary measurements to assess channel conditions and interference levels. This preliminary action ensures that the switch to resource-efficient mode will not compromise signal quality, as the measurements provide advance information about the feasibility of using fewer receive chains
3Adaptability or versatility
If the network entity is not aware of available hardware resources after configuration changes, then the system adaptability is reduced, but the device complexity for resource management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication device autonomously performs measurements and determines mode switching based on its own hardware resource availability and channel conditions. This self-service approach allows the device to adapt to its own hardware capabilities without requiring complex network-side resource management, thus improving system adaptability while avoiding increased device complexity for resource management
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a communication device comprising: means for, based on receiving a configuration of two component carriers for non-contiguous intra-band carrier aggregation, performing measurements across a bandwidth between the two component carriers to determine first measurements, and means for performing measurements on the two component carriers to determine second measurements. The communication device comprises means for, based on the first and second measurements, switching from operating according to a first mode to a second mode, and means for activating a further component carrier, so that a receive chain that has become available due to the switching to the second mode is utilized for receiving the further component carrier. The communication device comprises means for, based on third measurements, switching to operate according to the first mode, such that the receive chain is no longer available, and means for sending an indication that the further component carrier has been de-activated.