Idle Mode Measurement for Carrier Aggregation Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

The current process of adding a secondary cell (SCell) in carrier aggregation for user equipment (UE) requires significant RRC connected mode time for measurement configuration and reporting, leading to reduced data transmission efficiency, especially with increased numbers of carriers and secondary cells.

Innovation Solution

A measurement method where the UE performs measurements in RRC idle mode instead of connected mode, using configuration information sent by the network device to measure to-be-measured objects, thereby reducing the occupancy of RRC connected mode and enhancing data transmission efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the UE performs measurements in RRC connected mode to add SCell, then the measurement can be completed with network coordination, but the RRC connected mode time is occupied for a long period, reducing data transmission efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement completenessVSAvoiddata transmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The UE performs measurements on to-be-measured objects (SCell candidates) in RRC idle mode before entering RRC connected mode. The measurement configuration information is provided in advance through system information or other signaling, allowing the UE to complete measurements preliminarily without occupying RRC connected mode time, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement completeness and data transmission efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement process is extracted from the RRC connected mode and moved to RRC idle mode. By separating the measurement function from the connected mode operation, the patent eliminates the time occupation conflict, allowing measurements to be performed independently before connection establishment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple SCells are added to support higher transmission bandwidth, then the carrier aggregation capability is improved, but the total RRC connected mode time required for measurements increases, further reducing data transmission efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarrier aggregation capabilityVSAvoidRRC connected mode occupancy time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple SCell measurements are performed in advance during RRC idle mode using pre-configured measurement configuration information. This preliminary action allows the UE to prepare multiple SCell candidates before connection, eliminating the need to occupy RRC connected mode for each measurement, thus supporting carrier aggregation without time loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement process for multiple SCells is segmented and performed independently in RRC idle mode for each to-be-measured object. This segmentation allows parallel or sequential measurement of multiple carriers without requiring continuous RRC connected mode, reducing total time occupation while maintaining carrier aggregation capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3664501B1Measuring method, device and system
Publication Date: 2025.01.01 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3664501B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3664501B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3664501B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Embodiments of this application relate to the communications field, and provide a measurement method, a device, and a system, to avoid occupying an RRC connected mode in a measurement process, and improve data transmission efficiency of a communications system. The method specifically includes: receiving, by UE, configuration information sent by a network device, where the configuration information is used by the UE to measure a to-be-measured object; and measuring, by the UE in an RRC idle mode, at least one to-be-measured object based on the configuration information, to obtain a measurement result of the at least one to-be-measured object. This application is used for an idle mode measurement.