Carrier Aggregation Throughput Evaluation via PDCP Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods fail to accurately evaluate the throughput of carrier-aggregated user equipment (CA UE) in LTE networks, as the multiple component carriers (CCs) involved in carrier aggregation are not visible to the PDCP and RLC layers, making it difficult to determine the contribution of secondary cells to end-user throughput.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that determine the transmission volume and active time for both primary and secondary connections, deduce the number of activated secondary connections, and calculate the throughput based on these metrics, allowing for the evaluation of CA UE performance by counting packet data configuration protocol (PDCP) unit frames and delivering inter-layer messages to account for secondary cell activation and deactivation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If carrier aggregation is implemented to increase transmission bandwidth and data rates, then peak data rates can reach 1 Gbps in downlink and 500 Mbps in uplink, but the multiple component carriers become invisible to PDCP and RLC layers, making throughput evaluation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the throughput measurement process by introducing separate volume counters for PCell and SCell transmissions. The PDCP layer is divided into multiple measurement entities that track data volumes per component carrier independently, allowing accurate attribution of throughput to specific carriers while maintaining the aggregated transmission capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary measurement mechanism between the invisible PDCP/RLC layers and the physical carrier transmissions. By inserting volume counters and measurement entities that intercept and track data flows, the system creates visible measurement points without disrupting the underlying carrier aggregation operation.
2Productivity
If secondary cells are activated to increase transmission capacity, then more bandwidth is available for data transmission, but determining the contribution of each secondary cell to end-user throughput becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the capacity contribution tracking by maintaining separate volume counters for each secondary cell. Each SCell's transmission volume is independently measured and attributed to the end-user throughput, simplifying the determination of each cell's contribution without requiring complex analysis of aggregated flows.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality measurement by tracking transmission volumes at specific locations in the protocol stack (PDCP layer) for each component carrier. This localized measurement approach allows precise attribution of throughput to individual cells without requiring global system-wide measurements.
3Use of energy by moving object
If activation and deactivation of secondary cells is controlled to save UE power, then power consumption is reduced, but accurate tracking of active secondary connections for throughput calculation becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors the activation state of secondary cells and adjusts throughput measurements accordingly. By providing feedback on which SCells are currently active, the system ensures that only transmissions from active connections are included in throughput calculations, maintaining accuracy despite dynamic activation/deactivation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the measurement system dynamic by allowing the set of monitored secondary cells to change over time based on activation state. The measurement entities dynamically adjust which SCells are tracked and included in throughput calculations, enabling accurate measurement regardless of the current activation configuration.
Data Source
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AI summary
There are provided measures for evaluation of throughput of carrier aggregated user equipments. Such measures exemplarily comprise determining, per communication endpoint implementing carrier aggregation aggregating one primary connection and at least one secondary connection, a transmission volume with at least one activated secondary connection, determining, per communication endpoint implementing carrier aggregation aggregating one primary connection and at least one secondary connection, a time with transmission data in a transmission buffer and at least one activated secondary connection, and obtaining, per communication endpoint, a transmission throughput with at least one activated secondary connection, based on said transmission volume and said time.