Carrier Aggregation Physical Layer Problem Detection and Reporting
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Solution Overview
Problem
In LTE-A wireless communication systems, when a physical layer problem occurs in one component carrier during carrier aggregation, existing methods lead to increased power consumption and radio resource usage due to unnecessary searches for alternative carriers, as the terminal lacks information to efficiently report and manage component carriers.
Innovation Solution
A wireless communication apparatus and base station system that includes a physical layer problem determining section to identify affected component carriers, a report creating section to generate reports based on determined issues, and a control section to manage radio resource allocation, allowing for targeted measurement and resource optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the terminal performs measurement of carrier frequency other than the current carrier frequency, then the terminal can monitor radio conditions at the target carrier frequency, but the terminal must temporarily stop data reception at the current carrier frequency, causing increased power consumption and loss of communication efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the carrier frequency monitoring function by introducing measurement gaps that allow the terminal to measure radio conditions at different carrier frequencies independently. The measurement gap configuration divides the monitoring task into discrete time slots where the terminal can switch between measuring the serving carrier and other neighboring carriers without completely interrupting data reception, thus reducing power consumption while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The base station performs preliminary action by configuring measurement gaps and providing measurement information about neighboring carriers before the terminal actually needs to measure them. This allows the terminal to prepare measurement parameters and switch to measuring other carriers more efficiently, reducing the time and power required for frequency switching and measurement operations.
2Measurement precision
If the terminal temporarily stops data reception to measure carrier frequency, then the terminal can perform radio condition measurement at the target frequency, but communication efficiency and throughput are reduced during the measurement gap
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic measurement gaps at configured intervals rather than continuous measurement interruptions. The measurement gaps are periodic and temporary, allowing the terminal to measure radio conditions at other carrier frequencies at specific moments while maintaining normal data reception during other time periods. This periodic approach ensures measurement accuracy without continuously sacrificing communication throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of completely stopping data reception for measurement, the patent uses partial action by implementing measurement gaps that are brief and periodic. The terminal performs measurement only during these designated gap periods rather than continuously, thus achieving necessary measurement accuracy while minimizing the impact on overall communication throughput.
3Loss of information
If the terminal reports measurement results for all component carriers, then the base station has complete information for resource management, but the terminal consumes more power and radio resources for reporting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by having the terminal selectively report measurement information based on the specific characteristics and status of each component carrier. Instead of uniformly reporting all carriers, the terminal identifies which carriers have physical layer problems or require special attention and reports only those relevant carriers, thus reducing power consumption while maintaining necessary information completeness for effective resource management.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal uses feedback mechanisms to selectively report measurement results based on detected physical layer problems. When the terminal detects issues with specific component carriers, it provides targeted feedback about those carriers to the base station. This feedback-driven selective reporting ensures the base station receives critical information about problematic carriers while avoiding unnecessary reports from healthy carriers, thereby reducing terminal power consumption.
4Reliability
If the terminal searches for alternative component carriers when a physical layer problem occurs, then the terminal can maintain communication continuity, but power consumption and radio resource usage increase due to unnecessary searches
Solution Approach 1:
The base station performs preliminary action by providing measurement information and configuration about neighboring carriers before physical layer problems occur. When a problem is detected, the terminal already has prepared measurement data about alternative carriers, allowing it to quickly switch without performing unnecessary search operations. This preliminary preparation maintains communication continuity while avoiding the power consumption associated with extensive carrier searches.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal uses feedback from measurement reports and base station instructions to guide its carrier selection process. When physical layer problems are detected, the terminal receives feedback information about suitable alternative carriers from the base station, enabling targeted switching rather than blind searching. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable communication continuity while significantly reducing power consumption by eliminating unnecessary search operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless communication apparatus can communicate with a wireless communication base station using component carriers of communication cells managed by the wireless communication base station simultaneously. A radio condition determining section includes a physical layer problem determining section that determines whether a physical layer problem occurs in each component carrier which is used or can be used in communication between the wireless communication apparatus and the wireless communication base station. When it is determined that the physical layer problem occurs in some of the component carriers used in the communication, the radio condition determining section notifies the component carrier in which the physical layer problem occurs to a report creating section. The report creating section creates a report corresponding to the component carrier in which the physical layer problem occurs and a predetermined criterion.