Dynamic Measurement Gap Configuration for UE Power Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

In communication technologies, user equipment (UE) faces inefficiencies in identifying and measuring small base stations due to fixed measurement gap patterns, leading to excessive power consumption and delayed load sharing, especially when UE is close or far from the small base station, affecting throughput and timely handover.

Innovation Solution

A method where a macro base station dynamically configures measurement gap patterns based on signal quality, adjusting the measurement gap period to be shorter when UE is close to the small base station and longer when far, allowing for efficient identification and measurement, reducing power consumption and ensuring timely load sharing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a fixed measurement gap pattern is configured for UE, then the UE can perform inter-frequency cell measurement, but the power consumption is excessive and the identification time is too long when UE is far from small base station

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell identification capabilityVSAvoidUE power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the measurement gap pattern configurable and adjustable based on UE location and signal conditions. Instead of a fixed pattern, the network can dynamically select between different measurement gap patterns (e.g., pattern 1 with 80ms period for far UE, pattern 2 with 40ms period for near UE) to optimize the balance between measurement capability and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the measurement gap period parameter from a fixed value to a variable that can be adjusted based on UE distance and signal quality. By modifying this key parameter, the system adapts the measurement frequency to match actual network conditions, reducing unnecessary measurements when UE is far away and enabling faster identification when UE is close.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of time

If measurement frequency is increased to reduce identification time, then small cell can be identified faster, but the throughput of macro base station is affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell identification timeVSAvoidmacro base station throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the measurement gap pattern based on UE location relative to the small base station. When UE is far away, a longer measurement gap period (80ms) is used to minimize impact on macro base station throughput. When UE moves closer and signal conditions improve, the system can switch to a shorter period (40ms) to enable faster small cell identification and potential handover, thus optimizing the trade-off between identification speed and throughput impact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If UE performs frequent measurement according to pre-configured pattern, then small cell identification may be achieved, but power consumption increases unnecessarily when UE is far from small base station

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmall cell detection capabilityVSAvoidUE power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the measurement gap period parameter based on UE distance and signal conditions. When UE is far from the small base station, a longer period (80ms) is configured to reduce the frequency of measurements and associated power consumption. When UE approaches and signal quality improves, the period can be reduced (40ms) to enable timely detection, thus adapting energy consumption to actual detection needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If fixed measurement gap pattern with long period is used, then macro base station throughput is maintained, but small cell identification is delayed when UE is close to small base station

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemacro base station throughputVSAvoidhandover delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic adjustment of measurement gap patterns based on real-time UE location and signal conditions. When UE is close to the small base station and signal quality is high, the system can switch to a shorter measurement gap period (40ms) to accelerate small cell identification and enable timely handover, reducing latency without significantly impacting macro base station throughput.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3065443B1Measurement configuration method, identification and measurement methods, macro base station and ue
Publication Date: 2019.07.24 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3065443B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3065443B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3065443B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a measurement configuration method, an identification and measurement method, a macro base station, and UE. The measurement configuration method provided in the embodiments of the present invention includes: configuring, by a macro base station, a first measurement gap pattern for UE; receiving, by the macro base station, indication information sent by the UE, where the indication information is used to represent that quality of a signal radiated by a small base station and received by the UE is higher than or equal to a preset signal quality threshold; and configuring, by the macro base station, a second measurement gap pattern for the UE, where a measurement gap period in the second measurement gap pattern is less than a measurement gap period in the first measurement gap pattern. By means of the method in the embodiments of the present invention, unnecessary power consumption can be reduced for UE, and an objective of sharing load for a macro base station in time by using a small cell can be achieved.