Cross-Carrier Scheduling for 5G UE Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing scheduling information across network nodes, particularly in 5G networks, where seamless handover of scheduling between base stations is needed to optimize resource allocation and reduce power consumption, especially for user equipment (UE) monitoring downlink control channels.
Innovation Solution
The method involves a network node sending a scheduling switch notification to UE, allowing the UE to switch monitoring from one network node to another, enabling dynamic allocation of scheduling information across multiple nodes, including primary and secondary cells, to optimize resource usage and reduce unnecessary power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UE continuously monitors downlink control channels from multiple network nodes, then scheduling reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching of monitoring targets for downlink control channels. The UE transitions from continuously monitoring multiple network nodes to monitoring a single designated network node after handover, making the monitoring behavior adaptive rather than static. This dynamic approach maintains scheduling reliability by ensuring the UE monitors the correct active scheduling node while reducing power consumption by eliminating redundant monitoring of inactive nodes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes redundant monitoring operations from the UE's duty cycle. By identifying and eliminating the need to monitor downlink control channels from non-scheduling network nodes, the system removes unnecessary power consumption while preserving the essential monitoring function for the active scheduling node, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and energy usage
2Device complexity
If scheduling information is managed by a single network node, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability across multiple cells deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a designated network node as an intermediary that centralizes scheduling information management. This intermediary node consolidates the scheduling responsibilities for multiple cells, allowing the UE to interact with a single point of control rather than multiple distributed nodes. This intermediary approach simplifies the UE's scheduling management complexity while maintaining adaptability across multiple cells through the intermediary's coordinated control
Solution Approach 2:
The designated network node performs multiple functions including scheduling management for multiple cells, handover coordination, and control channel transmission. By making this single node universal in its capabilities, the system reduces the need for complex multi-node coordination while maintaining adaptability across the multi-cell environment, thus resolving the contradiction between simplicity and versatility
3Productivity
If handover of scheduling between network nodes is implemented, then spectral efficiency is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary configuration of the designated network node for scheduling before handover occurs. By pre-establishing the scheduling relationship and notifying the UE in advance of the handover, the system minimizes the signaling required during the actual handover execution. This preliminary action reduces the signaling overhead while enabling the spectral efficiency improvements that come from optimized scheduling handovers between nodes
Data Source
AI summary
When a user equipment (UE) is configured with a primary cell (PCell) and one or more secondary cells (SCell), scheduling of uplink (UL) and/or downlink (DL) resources for the UE may be received from the primary cell. However, in some circumstances, the primary cell may be unable to provide such scheduling related information. In such circumstances, one or more secondary cells may be enabled to provide scheduling related information to the UE such that cells other than the primary cell may function as scheduling cells. Information regarding dormancy states of the cells (primary and/or secondary) may also be provided by the scheduling cells.