Link Quality Reporting in Dual Carrier Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current GSM networks face limitations in reporting link quality measurements for secondary carriers during downlink dual carrier operation due to size constraints in existing packet downlink ack/nack messages, restricting the number and types of measurements that can be reported.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of techniques such as recoding the length field of the extension information element in packet downlink ack/nack messages, prioritizing link quality measurements, modifying the contents of packet downlink ack/nack messages, and allowing the use of EGPRS PACKET DOWNLINK ACK/NACK TYPE 2 messages for EGPRS mode, to enable more comprehensive reporting of link quality measurements for both primary and secondary carriers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the existing packet downlink ack/nack message format is used for downlink dual carrier operation, then message compatibility with existing networks is maintained, but the number and types of link quality measurements that can be reported for the secondary carrier are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the link quality measurement reporting into separate components: a first portion for the primary carrier and a second portion (extension information element) for the secondary carrier. This segmentation allows the primary carrier measurements to use the existing message format while the secondary carrier measurements are added through an extension mechanism, thereby increasing the total number of reportable measurements without fundamentally changing the existing message structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension information element is nested within the existing packet downlink ack/nack message structure. The second portion containing secondary carrier measurements is embedded as an extension of the first portion, allowing the message to accommodate additional measurement data while maintaining compatibility with existing network infrastructure.
2Quantity of substance
If the extension information element size is increased to report more link quality measurements, then measurement reporting capacity is improved, but the message size constraint is violated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic approach to message sizing where the extension information element size is determined based on the actual number of link quality measurements to be reported. The size of the second portion is dynamically adjusted to match the reporting requirements, allowing flexible accommodation of varying measurement quantities without unnecessarily increasing the overall message size beyond what is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of extension information element size from a fixed constraint to a variable parameter that adapts to the number of measurements being reported. By making the extension size flexible and demand-driven, the system can report more link quality measurements when needed while maintaining message size within acceptable constraints for the existing network infrastructure.
3Measurement precision
If more link quality measurements are reported for dual carrier operation, then link quality assessment accuracy is improved, but the signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by reporting only the necessary link quality measurements for each carrier rather than universally reporting all possible measurements. The extension information element includes only the second portion for secondary carrier measurements when needed, avoiding unnecessary signaling overhead while maintaining sufficient measurement precision for effective link quality assessment in dual carrier operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus to report link quality measurements for downlink dual carrier operation are disclosed. Example methods and apparatus disclosed herein implement one or more example techniques for reporting link quality measurements involving, for example, modifying measurement reporting messages to increase the number and/or types of link quality measurements that can be reported, permitting mobile stations, when appropriate, to use different reporting messages capable of supporting more link quality measurements, and/or prioritizing certain link quality measurements to be reported when the reporting messages do not contain sufficient space to report all requested and/or specified link quality measurements.