Component Carrier Capability Classification via Measurement Object Association
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communications systems, particularly in the new radio access technology (NR), there is a challenge in determining full-capability and non-full-capability component carriers within the frequency range 2, as existing protocols do not specify how to differentiate between them when multiple secondary component carriers are activated simultaneously, affecting mobility processes like cell handover.
Innovation Solution
The terminal device determines the full-capability component carrier by associating measurement objects with specific reporting configurations, using a bit mapping table to activate and configure secondary component carriers, and by configuring measurement objects only for full-capability carriers, allowing the network device to distinguish between full-capability and non-full-capability carriers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple secondary component carriers are activated simultaneously in FR2, then the network capacity and data transmission rate are improved, but the ability to distinguish full-capability from non-full-capability carriers deteriorates due to lack of protocol specification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces measurement object configuration as an intermediary mechanism to convey carrier capability information. The network device uses measurement object configuration to indicate full-capability component carriers to the terminal device, enabling the terminal to distinguish between full-capability and non-full-capability carriers without adding direct capability indication fields. This intermediary approach resolves the information loss problem while maintaining multiple carrier activation.
2Reliability
If measurement objects are configured for all secondary component carriers, then the terminal can perform comprehensive measurements, but the complexity of measurement configuration and processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by configuring measurement objects selectively rather than uniformly across all component carriers. Full-capability component carriers receive measurement object configurations enabling comprehensive measurements including neighboring cells, while non-full-capability carriers have measurement objects configured only for serving cell monitoring. This differentiated approach reduces overall configuration complexity while maintaining measurement reliability where needed.
3Reliability
If the terminal monitors all activated component carriers with full capability, then mobility management is improved, but the energy consumption and processing load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial action by having the terminal perform full capability measurements only on full-capability component carriers that are indicated through measurement object configuration, rather than monitoring all activated carriers with equal depth. The terminal monitors non-full-capability carriers with reduced measurement activity, performing only essential serving cell monitoring. This selective measurement approach maintains mobility management reliability on critical carriers while reducing overall energy consumption and processing load.
Data Source
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AI summary
A communications method and apparatus are provided. The method includes: configuring, by a network device, an association relationship between a measurement object and a reporting configuration; and determining, by a terminal device based on the association relationship between the measurement object and the reporting configuration, that a component carrier is a full-capability component carrier or anon-full-capability component carrier. For example, when there is an association relationship between a measurement object and a reporting configuration, and a reporting type of the reporting configuration is a first type, the terminal device may determine that a component carrier corresponding to the measurement object is a full-capability component carrier; or when there is no association relationship between a measurement object and a reporting configuration, or there is an association relationship between a measurement object and a reporting configuration, but a type of the reporting configuration is a second type, the terminal device may determine that the component carrier corresponding to the measurement object is a non-full-capability component carrier. According to the method and the apparatus in this application, the association relationship between the measurement object and the reporting configuration may be used to implicitly indicate the full-capability component carrier and the non-full-capability component carrier.