LTE Measurement Gap Configuration for NR Frequency

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Solution Overview

Problem

In the context of 5G mobile communications, the integration of LTE and NR systems faces challenges in configuring measurement gaps, leading to potential impacts on system operation when an LTE system measures an NR system, due to unclear frequency configurations and limited high-band coverage.

Innovation Solution

A method is introduced where a first network device generates and transmits indication information to a terminal device to measure a specific frequency, requesting the second network device to configure a measurement gap, ensuring the terminal device can measure the frequency without disrupting system operation by learning the measurement gap configuration from the second network device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the measurement initiator (LTE system) performs measurement on the measured end (NR system) without knowing whether a measurement gap is configured, then the measurement can be performed, but the measurement initiator may impact system operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency measurement accuracyVSAvoidsystem operation stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement initiator requests configuration information from the measured end before performing measurement. This preliminary action allows the measurement initiator to know whether a measurement gap is configured and adjust its behavior accordingly, preventing impact on system operation while ensuring accurate measurement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The measured end provides feedback information about its measurement gap configuration status to the measurement initiator. This feedback mechanism enables the measurement initiator to adapt its measurement actions to avoid interfering with ongoing system operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If the terminal device performs inter-frequency measurement without proper measurement gap configuration, then measurement can be conducted, but system throughput and reliability are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinter-frequency measurement accuracyVSAvoidsystem throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The network device requests and obtains measurement gap configuration information before initiating inter-frequency measurement. This preliminary configuration ensures that the terminal device can perform accurate measurements without disrupting ongoing data transmission, thereby maintaining system throughput

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If the LTE-NR dual connection system uses tight interworking mode, then system throughput is improved, but measurement reliability is reduced due to unclear frequency configurations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem throughputVSAvoidmeasurement reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The measured end provides feedback about its frequency configuration and measurement gap status to the measurement initiator. This feedback enables reliable measurement in the LTE-NR dual connection system while maintaining the throughput benefits of tight interworking mode

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement initiator performs preliminary configuration requests before measurement to ensure clear frequency configuration understanding. This preliminary action resolves the uncertainty in tight interworking mode and enables reliable measurements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3703414B1Configuration by a LTE network device of a measurement gap for a terminal device upon request by a NR network device
Publication Date: 2022.04.27 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP3703414B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3703414B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3703414B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

Provided are a method for setting a measurement interval, a network device and a terminal device, the method comprising: a first network device, when determining that a terminal device needs to measure a first frequency where a second network device is located, generating indication information which is used to indicate to the terminal device to measure the first frequency; and the first network device sending the indication information to the terminal device. According to the embodiments of the present invention, when the first network device requires the terminal device to measure the first frequency where the second network device is located, indication information which is used to indicate to the terminal device to measure the first frequency is sent to the terminal device, thereby avoiding the impact that may occur on a system operation when a measurement initiator measures a measured end.