Inter-Frequency Measurement in Carrier Aggregation Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for Inter-Frequency Measurement in Advanced EUTRA do not provide effective solutions when a mobile station apparatus concurrently receives multiple frequency bands, lacking a method for performing such measurements in these scenarios.

Innovation Solution

A base station apparatus and mobile station apparatus system that determines the need for Inter-Frequency Measurement and selects between two methods: one without a measurement gap and one with a gap, based on the number of frequency bands and receivers, to enhance throughput, accuracy, and reduce power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a measurement gap is configured for Inter-Frequency Measurement in conventional EUTRA, then measurement accuracy is improved, but downlink data throughput deteriorates due to transmission and reception being suspended

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveInter-Frequency Measurement accuracyVSAvoiddownlink data throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the reception function by introducing a separate first receiver dedicated to Inter-Frequency Measurement, while the second receiver handles normal downlink data reception. This segmentation allows simultaneous operation of measurement and data reception without mutual interference, resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and throughput.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements multi-functionality by enabling the mobile station apparatus to concurrently perform Inter-Frequency Measurement and downlink data reception through multiple receivers. The system universally handles both measurement and data transmission functions simultaneously, eliminating the need to suspend data reception for measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a measurement gap is configured for Inter-FrequencyMeasurement, then measurement reliability is improved, but scheduling complexity increases and unnecessary measurement reports are generated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement reliabilityVSAvoidscheduling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the reception functions into dedicated first and second receivers, the patent eliminates the need for centralized measurement gap scheduling. The first receiver independently performs measurements while the second receiver handles data, simplifying scheduling complexity while maintaining measurement reliability through dedicated hardware allocation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If the mobile station apparatus concurrently receives multiple frequency bands, then data transmission rate is improved, but the ability to perform Inter-FrequencyMeasurement deteriorates without dedicated measurement time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission rateVSAvoidInter-FrequencyMeasurement capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the reception capability by allocating a dedicated first receiver for Inter-FrequencyMeasurement across multiple frequency bands while the second receiver handles concurrent data reception. This segmentation enables simultaneous multi-band data transmission and measurement operations, maintaining both high data rates and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements multi-functionality by enabling concurrent operation of multiple receivers, where the first receiver universally performs Inter-FrequencyMeasurement across different frequency bands while the second receiver handles data reception, allowing both measurement and high-rate data transmission to occur simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2341730B1Measurements by a terminal using carrier aggregation
Publication Date: 2017.11.29 SHARP KK
  • EP2341730B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2341730B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2341730B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A base station apparatus, in a mobile communication system comprised of a plurality of base station apparatuses for performing transmission using mutually different frequency bands and a mobile station apparatus capable of concurrently communicating with each of the base station apparatuses, makes a determination whether the mobile station apparatus needs to perform Inter-Frequency Measurement to communicate with the plurality of base station apparatuses, and when Inter-Frequency Measurement is needed, based on the number of frequency bands of base station apparatuses that concurrently communicate with the mobile station apparatus and the number of frequency bands that the mobile station apparatus is capable of concurrently receiving, selects one of a first Inter-Frequency Measurement method without the need for providing a measurement gap in one of the frequency bands, and a second Inter-Frequency Measurement method with the need for providing a measurement gap in one of the frequency bands.