Control Cell System Information Signaling for Lower-Energy Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional communication systems waste energy due to always-on signals from cells broadcasting system information, and there is a need to efficiently notify terminal devices of system information changes without increasing energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A communication method where system information is centralized in control cells, with indication information sent on specific resources to notify terminal devices of changes, using existing downlink control information to reduce signaling overheads and ensure compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each cell independently broadcasts system information periodically, then terminal devices can receive system information reliably, but energy consumption of network devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges system information broadcasting functions into a single control cell, while data cells stop independent broadcasting. The control cell consolidates system information from multiple cells and broadcasts it centrally, reducing the number of active transmitting devices and lowering overall energy consumption while maintaining reliable system information delivery to terminal devices.
2Use of energy by moving object
If control cell incorporates system information of data cell, then energy consumption is reduced, but notification of system information changes becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the notification mechanism into two parts: a first indication field in downlink control information that indicates system information change, and a second indication field that indicates the type of system information changed. This segmentation allows efficient notification while maintaining clarity about which specific system information has changed, reducing terminal device processing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control cell acts as an intermediary that receives system information from data cells, processes it, and broadcasts it to terminal devices. It also serves as an intermediary for change notifications, using downlink control information with indication fields to notify terminals of system information changes without requiring data cells to directly communicate with terminals.
3Quantity of substance
If downlink control information is used for indication, then signaling overhead is reduced, but compatibility requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes downlink control information serve multiple functions: it carries scheduling information for physical downlink shared channels, uplink grants, and now also includes indication fields for system information changes. By adding indication fields to existing downlink control information structures, the patent reduces signaling overhead while maintaining compatibility with existing communication protocols and devices.
Data Source
AI summary
This application provides a communication method and a communication apparatus. In the method, a network device sends, on a first resource, first indication information indicating that system information of a first cell changes and/or system information of at least one second cell changes, sends system information of the first cell on a second resource, and sends system information of the at least one second cell on a third resource. This ensures that the corresponding terminal device is correctly notified when the system information changes, thereby facilitating correct communication of the terminal device. In the method, a network device to which the first cell belongs sends system information, and a network device to which the second cell belongs may not send system information. This reduces a quantity of network devices sending system information, and helps reduce energy consumption of the network devices.