Carrier Aggregation Testing Using Functionally Limited Secondary Component Carriers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Carrier aggregation testing apparatuses in wireless communication networks require significant hardware and software resources, leading to increased complexity and cost, especially for tests involving multiple component carriers.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that allocate and aggregate a functionally limited secondary component carrier instead of a fully functional one, reducing the need for resources by transmitting a reduced number of signals and performing a subset of procedures, allowing the apparatus to operate with fewer hardware and software resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fully functional component carrier is used for carrier aggregation testing, then the testing reliability is improved, but the hardware and software resources required increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarrier aggregation testing reliabilityVSAvoidtesting apparatus complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by using functionally limited secondary component carriers that provide only the necessary functionality for specific testing scenarios. Instead of deploying fully functional carriers for all tests, the system allocates full functionality only to the primary component carrier and limited functionality to secondary carriers, reducing overall resource requirements while maintaining testing validity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the functionality parameter of secondary component carriers from full functionality to limited functionality based on test requirements. This parameter change allows the testing apparatus to adapt resource allocation dynamically, providing full functionality only when needed and limited functionality for routine tests, thereby optimizing the balance between reliability and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If multiple fully functional component carriers are allocated for carrier aggregation testing, then the testing accuracy is improved, but the cost of the testing apparatus increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarrier aggregation testing accuracyVSAvoidtesting apparatus cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements partial action by allocating full functionality only to the primary component carrier and limited functionality to secondary component carriers. This selective allocation ensures that testing accuracy is maintained for critical measurements while significantly reducing the overall cost of the testing apparatus by avoiding the need for multiple expensive fully functional carriers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses virtual or emulated secondary component carriers that replicate the essential functionality needed for testing without requiring physical duplication of full carriers. This copying approach allows accurate testing of carrier aggregation scenarios while reducing hardware costs by using software-based or simplified carrier implementations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Device complexity

If functionally limited secondary component carriers are used, then the hardware and software resources required are reduced, but the testing coverage may be limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting apparatus complexityVSAvoidtesting coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing the functionally limited secondary component carriers to support multiple test scenarios through flexible configuration. The limited carriers are capable of performing various testing functions depending on how they are configured and combined with the primary carrier, maintaining broad testing coverage despite the reduced functionality of individual carriers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by allowing the functionality of secondary component carriers to be dynamically adjusted based on specific test requirements. The system can configure carriers to provide different levels of functionality depending on the test scenario, ensuring adequate testing coverage for various carrier aggregation configurations while maintaining low complexity for routine tests.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9350499B2Carrier aggregation testing method and apparatus for performing the same

Publication Date: 2016.05.24 ANRITSU CORP

AI summary

A carrier aggregation testing method for a wireless communication system, includes the steps of allocating a primary component carrier between a User Equipment and a carrier aggregation testing apparatus being configured to act as a Base Station with regard to the User Equipment, allocating at least one functionally limited secondary component carrier between the User Equipment and the carrier aggregation testing apparatus, aggregating the at least one functionally limited secondary component carrier with the primary component carrier, executing a carrier aggregation test being based on a functionality of the at least one functionally limited secondary component carrier.