Chirp Signal Formats for UE-Centric MAC Layer

The patent inverts the traditional network-centric MAC layer architecture by implementing a UE-centric MAC layer. Instead of the network controlling all MAC operations and broadcasting system information continuously, UEs autonomously perform mobility measurements, select serving cells, and trigger network access only when necessary. This inversion dramatically improves resource utilization efficiency by eliminating redundant network broadcasts and reduces power consumption by allowing UEs to operate autonomously without continuously monitoring network commands.

The patent enables UEs to perform self-service operations including autonomous mobility measurements, automatic serving cell selection, and independent trigger event detection. UEs monitor downlink signals from multiple cells, evaluate signal quality metrics, and determine when network access is needed based on predefined trigger events. This self-service capability eliminates the need for continuous network control and broadcasting, thereby improving resource utilization and reducing overall system power consumption.

The patent implements preliminary action by having UEs perform mobility measurements and evaluate trigger events in advance before network access is needed. UEs continuously monitor downlink signals from multiple cells, pre-calculate signal quality metrics, and maintain local information about potential serving cells. When a trigger event occurs, UEs can immediately access the network with pre-prepared information, eliminating the need for continuous network broadcasting of system information.

The patent enables UEs to self-service by autonomously gathering and processing system information through mobility measurements. Instead of relying on continuous network broadcasts, UEs independently monitor downlink signals, evaluate signal quality, and determine serving cell selections. This self-service approach ensures system information availability to UEs while dramatically reducing resource utilization waste from redundant network transmissions.

The patent implements periodic action by having UEs monitor network broadcasts only at specific trigger events rather than continuously. UEs are configured with predefined trigger events such as signal quality thresholds, mobility state changes, or data arrival conditions. When these periodic trigger events occur, UEs temporarily activate to monitor network commands and perform necessary MAC layer operations. Between trigger events, UEs can enter low-power states, maintaining connectivity control while significantly reducing power consumption.

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where UEs report their state and measurements to the network only when trigger events occur. The network provides feedback commands in response to these triggered reports, creating an event-driven communication pattern. This feedback approach ensures reliable connectivity control through timely network-UE interaction while avoiding continuous monitoring and transmission, thereby reducing UE power consumption.

The patent inverts the traditional centralized control model by implementing UE-centric autonomous operation for mobility measurements and serving cell selections. Instead of the base station continuously measuring signals and determining serving cells for all UEs, each UE independently performs downlink signal monitoring, evaluates signal quality metrics, and autonomously selects serving cells. The base station maintains centralized control by providing configuration parameters and receiving triggered reports, but the actual measurement and selection operations are distributed to UEs, dramatically reducing base station power consumption and processing load.

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the mobility management functions between UEs and the network. UEs are responsible for segment-specific tasks including downlink signal monitoring, signal quality evaluation, and serving cell selection. The network handles segmentation of configuration management, trigger event definition, and triggered command transmission. This functional segmentation reduces the processing burden and power consumption at the base station while maintaining centralized control through coordinated configuration and triggered interactions.