Inter-ENB Carrier Aggregation for Overlapping Macro Pico Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LTE-A systems are limited by intra-ENB carrier aggregation, which reduces the applicability of carrier aggregation and causes issues when macro cells and pico cells overlap.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of inter-ENB carrier aggregation, where User Equipment (UE) receives a control message from one ENB to add a second cell group controlled by another ENB, determines the bearer type, and transmits/receives data accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If intra-ENB carrier aggregation is used, then the system is simpler to implement, but the applicability is reduced and macro cells cannot be aggregated with pico cells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cell groups into master cell groups (controlled by macro ENBs) and secondary cell groups (controlled by pico ENBs), allowing independent management and aggregation across different ENBs. This segmentation enables inter-ENB carrier aggregation while maintaining manageable system complexity through clear role differentiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a master ENB as an intermediary that coordinates between multiple pico ENBs and the UE. The master ENB receives control messages, manages cell group additions, and facilitates data transmission across inter-ENB boundaries, thereby enabling carrier aggregation applicability without requiring direct complex interactions between all network elements.
2Productivity
If inter-ENB carrier aggregation is implemented, then the transmission speed of UE is enhanced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing cell groups into master and secondary categories with distinct functional roles, the patent enables parallel data transmission paths through multiple ENBs, thereby enhancing transmission speed while keeping each segment's complexity manageable through standardized interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates universal control mechanisms where the master ENB can manage both intra-ENB and inter-ENB carrier aggregation scenarios, and where cell groups can function in different capacities (master or secondary) depending on the aggregation configuration, thereby achieving multi-functionality without proportionally increasing complexity.
3Speed
If only one forward carrier and one reverse carrier are used, then the system is simpler, but the data transmission speed is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple forward carriers and reverse carriers from different ENBs into unified cell groups that can be simultaneously activated for carrier aggregation. This combining of carriers from multiple sources directly increases data transmission speed while the standardized cell group management structure prevents exponential growth in configuration complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile communication system is provided. In particular, a method and an apparatus for transmitting/receiving data using a plurality of carriers in a mobile communication system is provided.