DRNC Cell Capability Reporting for Uplink Modulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radio communication systems lack an effective method for determining whether a cell supports uplink high-order modulation, particularly with the introduction of new technologies like 16QAM, where only new Node B supports this feature, necessitating backward compatibility checks.

Innovation Solution

A method and device where the Drift Radio Network Controller (DRNC) reports to the Serving Radio Network Controller (SRNC) whether the cell it controls supports uplink high-order modulation, using signaling messages like radio link setup or addition responses, indicating capability through bit representation or expanded cell capability information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If new Node B is deployed to support uplink high-order modulation (16QAM), then system throughput and user experience quality are improved, but device compatibility deteriorates because old Node B cannot support this feature

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem throughputVSAvoiddevice compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the DRNC pre-determine and store the uplink high-order modulation support capability of each cell before actual communication occurs. When the SRNC needs this information, it is already available in advance through the capability indication message, eliminating the need for real-time determination and ensuring both new and old Node B compatibility from the outset.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism through the capability indication message exchanged between DRNC and SRNC. This intermediary carries the cell's support capability information, allowing the SRNC to make informed decisions about uplink high-order modulation usage without directly querying each Node B, thus resolving the compatibility issue between new and old devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If the SRNC directly determines whether Node B supports uplink high-order modulation, then decision speed is improved, but information accuracy deteriorates because the SRNC lacks direct knowledge of DRNC-controlled cells' capabilities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedecision speedVSAvoidinformation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by establishing a one-way information flow from DRNC to SRNC through the capability indication message. The DRNC feeds back the accurate cell capability information to the SRNC, enabling the SRNC to make accurate decisions about uplink high-order modulation while maintaining fast decision-making capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The capability indication message serves as an intermediary that accurately conveys the DRNC-controlled cell's support capability to the SRNC. This intermediary ensures information accuracy by formally transmitting the capability data through standardized signaling procedures, eliminating speculation or estimation by the SRNC.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If uplink high-order modulation is universally applied to all cells, then system throughput is improved, but reliability deteriorates because old Node B cannot properly handle this modulation mode

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem throughputVSAvoidcommunication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by enabling uplink high-order modulation on a per-cell basis rather than universally. The SRNC determines which specific cells support this feature through the capability indication message and applies the modulation only to those cells, ensuring high throughput where supported while maintaining reliability in cells that do not support it.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the modulation order parameter based on cell capability. The system changes from a fixed universal modulation approach to a flexible approach where the modulation parameter (16QAM or QPSK) is selected based on the cell's support capability, ensuring both throughput optimization and communication reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2139252B1Method and equipment for reporting support capability of cell to uplink high-order modulation
Publication Date: 2014.12.24 ZTE CORP
  • EP2139252B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2139252B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a method and device for reporting the capability of a cell to support uplink high-order modulation, in which drift radio network controller is used for reporting whether the relative cell supports uplink high-order modulation, wherein the method includes the following steps: the DRNC, after receiving a request message from the serving radio network controller, reports via signaling to SRNC the information about the capability of the relative cell to support the uplink high-order modulation. Therefore, the present invention enables the SRNC to obtain the information to determine whether to use the uplink high-order modulation method on user equipment.