Dynamic Tune-Away for Neighbor Cell Measurements in RRC Connected Mode

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in performing neighbor cell measurements in Radio Resource Control (RRC) connected mode, leading to radio link failures and prolonged interruptions due to the inability to tune away from a carrier during scheduled activities.

Innovation Solution

A method where a user equipment (UE) receives an indication of a tune-away period from the base station, allowing it to perform neighbor cell measurements by switching to a different carrier during periods without scheduled downlink and uplink activity, enabling measurements in RRC connected mode.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the UE performs neighbor cell measurements during scheduled downlink and uplink activity, then measurement capability is maintained, but radio link failures occur due to inability to tune away from carrier

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidmeasurement capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The base station proactively configures measurement gaps before the UE needs to perform neighbor cell measurements. These pre-arranged gaps ensure that the UE can tune away from the current carrier to measure neighbor cells without missing scheduled downlink or uplink activities, thereby maintaining connection reliability while enabling measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If the UE tunes away from carrier to perform neighbor cell measurements, then measurement accuracy is improved, but data transfer interruptions increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneighbor cell measurement accuracyVSAvoiddata transfer interruption duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement gap configuration is made dynamic rather than static. The base station can adjust the timing, duration, and frequency of measurement gaps based on current network conditions, UE mobility state, and traffic requirements. This allows the system to optimize the balance between measurement accuracy and data transfer continuity, reducing interruptions when possible while ensuring measurements are performed when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If the base station schedules downlink and uplink activity continuously, then resource utilization is maximized, but UE cannot perform neighbor cell measurements in RRC connected mode

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidmeasurement flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous scheduled activity is segmented by introducing measurement gaps at strategically chosen points where data transfer can be temporarily paused with minimal impact. These gaps divide the transmission timeline into active communication phases and measurement phases, allowing the UE to perform neighbor cell measurements while the base station maintains high overall resource utilization by keeping scheduling active during non-gap periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12120539B2Dynamic tune-away for neighbor cell measurements

Publication Date: 2024.10.15 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may receive an indication that a tune-away period is available. The UE may perform one or more neighbor cell measurements during the tune-away period based at least in part on the indication. Numerous other aspects are provided.