Cell DTX DRX Activation with Carrier Aggregation

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing technologies face challenges in efficiently managing cell discontinuous transmission (DTX) or cell discontinuous reception (DRX) with carrier aggregation (CA), leading to inefficiencies and increased power consumption due to latency in Scell activation/deactivation.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a method where a user equipment (UE) and a network node can skip or monitor the reception or transmission of channels associated with a secondary cell (Scell) based on an indication to activate or deactivate cell DTX/DRX for the primary cell (Pcell), thereby avoiding RRC-based Scell activation/deactivation and reducing latency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If RRC-based Scell activation/deactivation is used, then Scell can be activated or deactivated, but latency increases and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveScell activation/deactivation functionalityVSAvoidlatency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the Scell activation/deactivation control from the RRC layer and moves it to the MAC layer. Specifically, the network node sends MAC control elements (MAC-CE) to activate or deactivate Scell, bypassing the RRC signaling process. This extraction of the activation function from RRC to MAC layer eliminates the RRC reconfiguration latency while maintaining reliable Scell control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary configuration of Scell parameters and resources through RRC signaling before actual activation. The RRC configuration prepares all necessary parameters in advance, so when activation is needed, only a simple MAC-CE trigger is required rather than full RRC reconfiguration. This preliminary action separates configuration from activation, reducing latency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If RRC-based Scell activation/deactivation is used, then Scell can be activated or deactivated, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveScell activation/deactivation functionalityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the Scell activation/deactivation control from the RRC layer and moves it to the MAC layer. Specifically, the network node sends MAC control elements (MAC-CE) to activate or deactivate Scell, bypassing the RRC signaling process. This extraction of the activation function from RRC to MAC layer eliminates the RRC reconfiguration latency while maintaining reliable Scell control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary configuration of Scell parameters and resources through RRC signaling before actual activation. The RRC configuration prepares all necessary parameters in advance, so when activation is needed, only a simple MAC-CE trigger is required rather than full RRC reconfiguration. This preliminary action separates configuration from activation, reducing latency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of energy

If cell DTX/DRX is activated for Pcell, then network energy savings are achieved, but Scell channel monitoring and transmission continue unnecessarily

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork energy consumptionVSAvoidchannel monitoring and transmission efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the DTX/DRX state from Pcell with Scell channel monitoring control. When cell DTX or DRX is activated for Pcell, the UE automatically applies the same discontinuous operation to Scell channels. This merging ensures that when the network is in a low-activity state (indicated by Pcell DTX/DRX), the UE also discontinues Scell channel monitoring and transmission, avoiding unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining network efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20250071856A1Cell discontinuous transmission or cell discontinuous reception with carrier aggregation

Publication Date: 2025.02.27 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may receive a configuration of cell discontinuous transmission or cell discontinuous reception. The UE may receive a configuration of carrier aggregation associated with a primary cell (Pcell) and a secondary cell (Scell). The UE may receive an indication to activate or deactivate the cell discontinuous transmission or cell discontinuous reception for the Pcell. The UE may skip, or monitoring for, based at least in part on the indication to activate or deactivate the cell discontinuous transmission or cell discontinuous reception for the Pcell, reception or transmission of one or more channels associated with the Scell. Numerous other aspects are described.