Multi-Carrier AGC Scheduling for Longer Measurement Gaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-carrier communication systems, the effective radio time during transmission gaps is often insufficient due to AGC settling time, leading to inaccurate cell detection and RSRP measurements, especially when there is a large difference between expected and actual signal strength.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where the served device performs a first AGC procedure during a transmission gap, determines an AGC configuration based on channel conditions and lapsed time, and either performs or skips a second AGC procedure using the initial gain value, allowing for optimized AGC parameter selection or algorithm choice to extend effective radio time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If AGC procedure is performed during transmission gap to adjust gain for accurate signal measurement, then measurement accuracy is improved, but effective radio time is reduced due to AGC settling time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs AGC procedures during previous transmission gaps or idle periods to pre-adjust the gain settings. By preparing the AGC in advance before the actual measurement gap, the settling time is moved to a preliminary phase, allowing the main measurement period to utilize the already-adjusted gain without waiting for AGC convergence, thus preserving effective radio time while maintaining measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The AGC system dynamically adapts its behavior based on channel conditions and timing information. The controller adjusts AGC parameters such as attack time, decay time, and threshold levels in real-time according to the specific measurement requirements and available time windows. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize the trade-off between settling time and measurement accuracy for each specific scenario
2Reliability
If transmission gap duration is increased to provide sufficient effective radio time for cell detection and measurements, then measurement reliability is improved, but system productivity is reduced due to longer gaps between carriers
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary AGC adjustments and signal strength estimations during non-critical periods or using historical data before entering the transmission gap. By preparing gain settings and measurement parameters in advance, the actual measurement process within the transmission gap becomes more efficient and requires less time, allowing shorter gap durations while maintaining reliable cell detection and measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system identifies and skips unnecessary or redundant AGC procedures during transmission gaps when channel conditions are stable or when previous AGC settings are still valid. By selectively eliminating non-essential processing steps and rushing through already-optimized measurements, the system reduces the effective time required within transmission gaps, thereby improving carrier monitoring efficiency without sacrificing measurement reliability
3Measurement precision
If more bits are used to represent received signal samples to prevent information loss during inaccurate gain settings, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the bit depth and precision parameters of signal representation based on the current AGC accuracy and channel conditions. When AGC settling is complete and gain settings are accurate, the system uses standard bit depths. When AGC is still settling or conditions are uncertain, the system temporarily increases precision parameters only for the critical measurement portions, avoiding the need for consistently high-precision (and thus complex) receiver design throughout all operation modes
Data Source
AI summary
A technique for performing Automatic Gain Control (AGC) in a multi-carrier communication system in which transmission gaps are scheduled on a serving carrier to enable temporary tuning to another carrier by a served device is described. A method embodiment of this technique comprises: performing a first AGC procedure in relation to a first signal received on a first carrier during a first transmission gap; determining an AGC configuration for a second procedure based on at least one of channel conditions in relation to the first carrier and a lapsed time since the first transmission gap; and determining if the second AGC procedure can be skipped.