Carrier Aggregation Timing Difference Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication networks lack a means for user equipment (UE) to indicate to the network when the time difference between primary and secondary cells exceeds the UE's handling capacity, leading to conservative network behavior and potential inefficiencies in carrier aggregation, especially in scenarios with rapidly changing propagation delays.
Innovation Solution
A wireless device measures the signal arrival time difference between primary and secondary cells and provides feedback to the network, allowing for conditional activation or deactivation of secondary cells based on whether the difference is within the UE's permitted range, enabling more flexible carrier aggregation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the network uses standard maximum time difference limits for cell aggregation, then reliability is maintained, but productivity is reduced due to conservative network behavior
Solution Approach 1:
The network node receives feedback from the wireless device indicating the actual time difference between primary and secondary cells. This feedback mechanism allows the network to adjust cell aggregation decisions based on real device conditions rather than relying on conservative standardized limits, thereby improving throughput while maintaining reliability.
2Productivity
If the network aggregates cells with large time differences, then productivity is improved through increased throughput, but device complexity increases due to handling capacity requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the parameter threshold for cell aggregation from a fixed standardized maximum time difference to a dynamic value based on actual device measurements. The network node receives the measured time difference from the device and uses this actual parameter value to make aggregation decisions, allowing cells with larger time differences to be aggregated when the device can handle them.
3Measurement precision
If the network waits for UE feedback on time difference before cell aggregation, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time occurs due to additional signaling delay
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless device performs time difference measurements in advance and reports them to the network node before cell aggregation decisions are made. This preliminary measurement and reporting allows the network to have accurate timing information ready when making aggregation decisions, reducing the need for additional measurement delays during the aggregation process.
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(e)
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AI summary
According to one aspect of the teachings herein, a wireless device operating in a wireless communication network determines the difference in signal arrival times with respect to first and second cells, and the device and/or the involved wireless communication network uses the difference to control one or more aspects of Carrier Aggregation, CA, operation for the wireless device. For example, there may be a maximum timing difference defined for the wireless device, e.g., as a function of its inherent capabilities, and the wireless device may evaluate the timing difference of a second cell that is a candidate of aggregation into its CA configuration, or that may be a candidate for activation as a serving cell within a CA configuration, with respect to a first cell that is already in use as a serving cell for the wireless device.