Inter-Frequency Measurement Gap Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inter-frequency measurement techniques in wireless networks face challenges in meeting system performance requirements due to varying reference signal synchronization and lengths across different frequencies, leading to unnecessarily long measurement gaps that affect resource utilization, power consumption, and interference.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of scalable methodologies for coordinating measurement gaps on a frequency-specific basis, allowing for adaptable measurement gap patterns to be associated with specific target frequencies or timing groups, enabling efficient measurement operations even when reference signals are sparsely scheduled.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If measurement gaps are extended to cover reference signals across multiple frequencies with varying synchronization and lengths, then measurement coverage is improved, but measurement gap duration increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments frequencies into frequency-specific timing groups based on reference signal timing characteristics. Each timing group has its own measurement gap pattern, allowing the system to divide the measurement task into smaller, frequency-specific segments rather than using a single extended measurement gap covering all frequencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic measurement gap coordination where the network can assign different UEs to different timing groups based on their measurement requirements. The measurement gap patterns are dynamically adjusted to match the specific reference signal timing of each frequency, avoiding fixed extended gaps.
2Reliability
If measurement gaps are scheduled to accommodate sparsely scheduled reference signals, then measurement capability is improved, but resource utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by configuring measurement gap patterns specific to each frequency's reference signal characteristics. Instead of using a uniform measurement gap schedule across all frequencies, the system tailors the measurement gap timing to match the local reference signal schedule of each frequency, improving measurement capability while minimizing resource waste.
3Reliability
If measurement gaps are extended to ensure coverage of all reference signals, then measurement completeness is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting frequencies into timing groups with common reference signal schedules, the patent enables UEs to perform measurements on multiple frequencies within a single measurement gap. This segmentation approach ensures measurement completeness for all frequencies in a timing group while avoiding the need to extend measurement gaps indefinitely, thereby reducing power consumption.
4Productivity
If frequency-specific measurement gap patterns are implemented, then measurement efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by creating timing groups that can represent multiple frequencies with common reference signal timing characteristics. A single measurement gap pattern can be applied to all frequencies within a timing group, making the measurement gap configuration multi-functional and reducing the overall system complexity despite the frequency-specific optimization.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for coordinating inter-frequency measurement gaps in a wireless network are disclosed. In various embodiments, a measurement gap pattern is determined and provided (via a serving frequency) to a user equipment (UE) in conjunction with frequency identification information identifying at least one target frequency. In accordance with the measurement gap pattern, the UE tunes a receiver to the target frequency and receives a reference signal upon which measurement operations are performed. Additional target frequencies can also be specified for the measurement gap pattern. In other embodiments, the frequency identification information identifies a band of target frequencies, any of which can be measured using the measurement gap pattern. In further embodiments, target frequencies employing overlapping reference signals are grouped into a timing group indicated by the frequency identification information. Broadcast or dedicated signaling can be utilized to associate target frequencies with a timing group or frequency band.