Early Measurement Validity Areas for Flexible CA/DC Carrier Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LTE networks face challenges in configuring validity areas for early measurements, as they can only include cells operating on frequencies where the UE is configured to measure, limiting flexibility and causing unnecessary restrictions on carriers that could be useful for carrier aggregation or dual connectivity.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves defining a validity area separately from the idle/inactive measurement carrier list, allowing the network to configure frequencies for early measurements without requiring a specific cell list, enabling measurements on any cell operating on those frequencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the validity area is configured to include only cells on frequencies where the UE is configured to measure, then the measurement configuration is simplified, but the flexibility in configuring early measurements is reduced and useful carriers are excluded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the validity area configuration into two independent parts: (1) a list of carrier frequencies for early measurements, and (2) a list of valid cells on those frequencies. This allows the network to configure measurement frequencies separately from the cells that must be measured, enabling flexible inclusion of carriers for future CA/DC even if no suitable cell exists currently on those frequencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension to the validity area configuration by adding carrier frequency-level validity alongside cell-level validity. Instead of only validating at the cell level, the system now validates at two levels: carrier frequency (whether measurements should be performed on this frequency) and cell (which specific cells on this frequency are valid). This dimensional expansion resolves the contradiction between simplification and flexibility.
2Measurement precision
If a specific cell list is required for each frequency in the validity area, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the configuration becomes restrictive and excludes carriers useful for carrier aggregation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the configuration into carrier frequency parameters and cell parameters that can be independently configured. The carrier frequency list defines where measurements should occur, while the cell list on each frequency defines which specific cells are valid targets. This segmentation allows carriers to be included for future CA/DC purposes even without current suitable cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The configuration allows dynamic adjustment where carriers can be added to the measurement frequency list for future CA/DC potential without requiring immediate cell configuration. The system evolves from static cell-specific validity to dynamic carrier-and-cell level validity, enabling flexible network deployment scenarios.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the network configures measurement frequencies without requiring current cell availability, then future carrier aggregation options are preserved, but the risk of configuring measurements on unavailable carriers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the validity area into carrier frequency validity and cell validity components. The network can configure carrier frequencies for measurements independently of current cell availability, preserving future CA/DC options. The separate cell list provides a safety mechanism to ensure measurements are only performed on actually available and suitable cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary configuration of carrier frequencies for potential future use in CA/DC without requiring immediate cell availability. This preliminary action allows the network to prepare measurement configurations in advance, and when cells become available on those frequencies, measurements can immediately commence without reconfiguration delays.
Data Source
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AI summary
According to some embodiments, a method performed by a wireless device for performing early measurement comprises receiving an early measurement configuration for performing idle/inactive mode measurements. The early measurement configuration comprising a measurement carrier list. Each entry of the measurement carrier list comprises a carrier frequency and one or more cell identifiers associated with the carrier frequency for which the wireless device is to perform idle/inactive mode measurements. The early measurement configuration further comprises a validity area list, separate from the measurement carrier list. Each entry of the validity area list comprises a carrier frequency and zero or more cell identifiers associated with the carrier frequency for which the wireless device is supposed to perform idle/inactive mode measurements. The method further comprises reselecting to a new cell and determining whether to perform idle/inactive mode measurements while camping on the new cell based on the validity area list.