Multi-Carrier Control Signaling Latency Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 3GPP LTE Rel-10 and LTE Advanced multi-carrier systems, existing technologies face challenges in reducing latency and power consumption during multi-carrier communication, particularly when transitioning between different component carriers for wider bandwidth support, which affects the efficiency of data bursts and network load balancing.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a multi-step process where a UE is pre-configured with system information for multiple component carriers, with activation and deactivation messages sent using Layer 1 or MAC signaling to dynamically adjust bandwidth, allowing efficient communication on multiple carriers only when needed, thereby reducing power consumption and latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the UE is pre-configured with system information for multiple component carriers using long term configuration messages, then the UE can support wider transmission bandwidths through carrier aggregation, but the latency and power consumption increase due to the multi-step activation process
Solution Approach 1:
The UE is pre-configured with system information for multiple component carriers in advance using long term configuration messages (RRC connection reconfiguration), so that when activation is needed, the UE can quickly switch to the pre-configured carriers without going through a lengthy configuration process, thereby reducing latency
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically activates and deactivates component carriers based on current network conditions and data burst requirements. The activation/deactivation is controlled through MAC control elements that can quickly enable or disable specific carriers, allowing the system to adapt bandwidth usage dynamically rather than maintaining all carriers continuously
2Adaptability or versatility
If the UE is pre-configured with system information for multiple component carriers, then the UE can communicate on multiple CCs with wider bandwidth, but the power consumption increases due to monitoring multiple carriers continuously
Solution Approach 1:
System information for multiple component carriers is pre-configured in advance through RRC connection reconfiguration messages, including physical layer parameters, resource allocation, and other necessary configuration data. This allows the UE to have all necessary information ready before activation, eliminating the need for continuous monitoring and configuration exchanges
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous monitoring of all component carriers, the system uses periodic activation and deactivation controlled by MAC control elements. The UE monitors only the primary carrier continuously and activates secondary carriers only when needed for data transmission, thereby significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining multi-carrier communication capability
3Productivity
If subset of component carriers are dynamically activated for short time periods, then the UE can efficiently handle large data bursts, but the device complexity increases due to the multi-step configuration and activation process
Solution Approach 1:
All necessary system information including physical layer parameters, resource allocation schemes, and carrier configurations are pre-configured in advance through RRC connection reconfiguration messages. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for complex real-time configuration exchanges and reduces the complexity of the activation process
Solution Approach 2:
The configuration process is segmented into two distinct phases: a long-term configuration phase using RRC messages that establishes the pool of available component carriers, and a short-term activation phase using MAC control elements that dynamically activates specific carriers. This segmentation allows each phase to be optimized independently, reducing overall complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A method in a wireless communication terminal including monitoring a terminal specific search space of a first Component Carrier (CC) from a base unit, wherein the search space corresponds to a set of Physical Downlink Control CHannel (PDCCH) candidates monitored by the terminal for PDCCH messages, and receiving an activation message on the first CC, wherein the activation message activates at least one additional CC. The size of the search space monitored by the terminal after receiving the activation message is greater than the size of the search space monitored before receiving the activation message.