MAC CE Trigger for Measurement Gap Latency Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems face challenges in efficiently managing measurement gaps for positioning in New Radio (NR) networks, leading to delays and inefficiencies in activating or deactivating measurement gaps.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a mechanism to efficiently trigger Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Elements (CEs) for measurement gaps, allowing User Equipment (UE) to proactively acquire uplink grants and dispatch measurement gap activation/deactivation with low latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the UE uses traditional RRC signaling to request measurement gaps, then the positioning measurements can be performed, but the latency is high and the response time is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The network pre-configures multiple measurement gap patterns with different parameters (gap lengths, periodicities, offsets) before the UE needs to perform positioning measurements. When the UE needs measurement gaps, it can immediately activate a pre-configured pattern without waiting for lengthy RRC signaling exchange, thus reducing activation latency while maintaining manageable complexity through prior preparation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic measurement gap patterns that can be quickly activated and deactivated based on real-time positioning needs. The UE can request activation of specific pre-configured gap patterns via MAC CE signaling, allowing the measurement gap configuration to adapt dynamically to positioning requirements without the overhead of full RRC reconfiguration, thereby reducing both latency and signaling complexity
2Measurement precision
If the UE activates measurement gaps frequently for positioning, then positioning accuracy is maintained, but the overhead and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple measurement gap patterns are pre-configured with different characteristics (various gap lengths, periodicities, and offsets) to suit different positioning scenarios. The UE can select and activate the most appropriate pre-configured pattern based on current positioning needs, avoiding unnecessary frequent activations and reducing energy consumption while maintaining positioning accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows the UE to request activation of different pre-configured measurement gap patterns by indicating specific pattern identifiers. This enables parameter optimization where the UE can select gap patterns with appropriate lengths and periodicities for the current positioning requirements, rather than always using the same pattern, thus balancing positioning accuracy with reduced energy consumption
3Productivity
If the UE waits for uplink grant before sending measurement gap request, then resource allocation is efficient, but the activation latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network pre-allocates uplink resources for measurement gap activation requests before the UE needs to send them. This allows the UE to immediately transmit its measurement gap activation request without waiting for dynamic uplink grant allocation, significantly reducing activation latency while the network maintains control over resource management complexity through advance planning
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for triggering Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) for measurement gap are provided. In some embodiments, a method performed by a User Equipment (UE) for requesting gap status change includes: generating a MAC CE that indicates a preference for a Measurement Gap (MG) state; receiving an indication from base station granting permission to the UE to trigger a scheduling request; acquiring an uplink grant by triggering a scheduling request; and after acquiring the uplink grant, transmitting the MAC CE that indicates a preference for a MG state. In this way, the UE can dispatch the MG activation/deactivation with a very low latency; i.e., as soon as the MAC CE are available; the availability of MG MAC CE can trigger transmission; sending SR and obtaining grant to send the MAC CE. A common MAC CE design for measurement gap activation/deactivation and BSR saves latency and reduces overhead.