Carrier Aggregation Scheduler Segmentation for DRX State Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current downlink carrier aggregation systems face challenges in managing scheduling across multiple carriers due to insufficient processing capabilities of a single processor core, leading to inefficiencies in tracking discontinuous reception (DRX) states and potential misclassification of UE activity.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves splitting scheduler processing across multiple processor cores to manage DRX states independently for each carrier, with mechanisms for information exchange and DRX state tracking between schedulers to ensure accurate scheduling and reduce processing duplication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single processor core manages scheduling for multiple carriers, then device complexity is reduced, but processing capability becomes insufficient leading to scheduling inefficiencies and DRX state tracking errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduler structureVSAvoidscheduling processing capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the scheduling function into separate processor cores for different carriers. Specifically, a first processor core manages scheduling for a first carrier while a second processor core manages scheduling for a second carrier. This segmentation allows each core to handle carrier-specific tasks independently, improving processing capability and DRX state tracking accuracy without requiring a single complex multi-carrier scheduler.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If carrier aggregation is implemented to increase data throughput, then productivity improves, but processing load increases causing scheduling inefficiencies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata throughputVSAvoidscheduling latency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By assigning different carrier scheduling tasks to different processor cores, the patent enables parallel processing of scheduling decisions. This reduces the time required to process scheduling information for aggregated carriers, thereby reducing scheduling latency while maintaining the high data throughput benefits of carrier aggregation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a coordination mechanism between processor cores that acts as an intermediary for sharing DRX state information. This intermediary coordination allows cores to efficiently exchange necessary scheduling information without creating processing bottlenecks, thereby reducing scheduling latency while supporting multiple carriers for high throughput.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If DRX state tracking is centralized in one scheduler, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of UE activity deteriorates leading to misclassification

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduler architectureVSAvoidDRX state tracking accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent assigns DRX state tracking responsibilities to the specific processor core managing the relevant carrier. This segmented approach allows each core to independently and accurately track UE activity and DRX states for its assigned carrier without interference or information loss, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining relatively simple scheduler architecture through clear division of responsibilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2989845B1Methods and apparatus for communication scheduling
Publication Date: 2020.02.26 NOKIA SOLUTIONS & NETWORKS OY
  • EP2989845B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2989845B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2989845B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems and techniques for discontinuous reception management for user devices communicating using carrier aggregation. Information relating to discontinuous reception for a user device is received and used to determine discontinuous reception states of the user device. The information relating to discontinuous reception may include, for example, past scheduling information, information received at one scheduler and reporting scheduling information for another scheduler, or discontinuous reception information managed at a media access control layer of a base station. The discontinuous reception information may be used for scheduling of a plurality of carriers used for carrier aggregation by a user device, with scheduling for each carrier being performed by a scheduler dedicated to that carrier.