Expedited Measurement Reporting for Faster CA/DC Setup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication networks face delays in Carrier Aggregation (CA) and Dual Connectivity (DC) setup due to limitations in measurement reporting, particularly in Idle/Inactive modes, especially for FR2 frequencies, where frequent measurements are needed to account for rapid radio condition changes, and not all UEs can perform beam-based measurements.
Innovation Solution
The network configures UEs to continue measurements on one or more carriers during connection setup and in connected mode, enabling UE to perform beam level measurements that were not possible in Idle/Inactive modes, through Expedited Measurement Reporting (XMR), which allows for enhanced measurement reporting and faster SCell activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If measurements are performed in Idle/Inactive modes for CA/DC setup, then measurement reporting delay is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to perform beam level measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The network configures UEs to perform measurements on target carriers during connection setup procedure before actual data transmission begins. This preliminary measurement action during setup allows the network to have measurement results ready earlier, reducing the overall CA/DC setup delay while enabling beam level measurements that were not possible in Idle/Inactive modes.
2Reliability
If frequent measurements are performed on FR2 carriers, then reliability of connection is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network configures UEs to perform measurements periodically during connection setup and connected mode on FR2 carriers. This periodic measurement approach ensures reliable connection by capturing rapid radio condition changes while managing power consumption through controlled measurement intervals rather than continuous monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
Measurements are performed during connection setup procedure as a preliminary action before full connected mode operations begin. This allows the network to establish reliable connections with measurement data already available, reducing the need for extensive post-setup measurements and thereby lowering overall power consumption.
3Loss of time
If measurements continue during connection setup and connected mode, then CA/DC setup delay is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement configuration mechanism serves multiple functions: it configures measurements during Idle/Inactive modes, continues measurements during connection setup procedure, and maintains measurements in connected mode. This universal configuration approach reduces CA/DC setup delay by keeping measurement functionality active across different RRC states without requiring separate complex mechanisms for each state.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an apparatus according to the present invention comprises receiving a configuration for expedited measurement reporting. The configuration provides an indication to a user equipment to perform measurements related to an expedited measurement reporting carrier or cell as part of connection setup procedure and/or for a period of time while the user equipment is in connected mode. The user equipment performs the measurement and provides the measurement result to the expedited measurement reporting carrier or cell. This allows a network to configure a user equipment to continue measurements on one or more carriers during the connection setup and potentially also during a period of time while in connected mode.