Measurement Gap Configuration for Multi-Carrier Wireless Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
In LTE-Advanced wireless communication systems, the measurement functionality for user equipment (UE) supporting multiple component carriers is not clearly defined, leading to improper configuration of measurement gaps, which affects packet scheduling and transmission/reception performance, especially in scenarios like multimedia broadcast multicast services where network awareness of receiving UEs is limited.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for handling measurement capability in wireless communication systems, where the network determines whether to configure a measurement gap for a UE based on its component carrier capability, allowing the UE to perform inter-frequency/inter-RAT measurements without network-assisted gaps when receiving data on multiple carriers, and providing mechanisms for the UE to inform the network about its component carrier usage status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If measurement gap is configured for inter-frequency/inter-RAT measurement, then measurement capability is improved, but transmission/reception performance is degraded due to data transmission prohibition during measurement gap
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement gap configuration by component carrier. Instead of applying a uniform measurement gap to all component carriers, the network configures measurement gaps selectively for specific component carriers based on the UE's measurement needs. This allows data transmission to continue on component carriers that are not configured with measurement gaps, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement capability and transmission/reception performance.
2Measurement precision
If measurement gap is configured to all component carriers, then measurement coverage is improved, but packet scheduling problems occur and transmission efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating measurement gap configuration across different component carriers. Each component carrier can have its own measurement gap configuration based on local requirements (frequency layer, RAT type, measurement needs). This localized approach ensures measurement coverage where needed while maintaining transmission efficiency on component carriers where measurement is not required.
3Device complexity
If network configures measurement gap without knowing UE's component carrier usage status, then measurement functionality is simplified, but improper configuration leads to performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the UE reports its component carrier usage status, capability information, and measurement results to the network. The network uses this feedback to dynamically adjust and optimize measurement gap configuration for each component carrier. This feedback loop resolves the contradiction by enabling proper configuration (improving performance) without significantly increasing system complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of handling measurement capability for a network in a wireless communication system comprising a mobile device (10) capable of communicating with the network through a maximum number of component carriers, the method includes receiving a capability information message indicating a component carrier capability, from the mobile device (310), and determining whether to configure a measurement gap to at least one of the component carriers, according to the component carrier capability and a first number of component carriers that have been configured to the mobile device (320).