Multi-Carrier Communication Cell Selection for Throughput

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multi-carrier communication methods face challenges in maintaining high throughput rates and subscriber experience due to interference and signal quality issues when user equipment (UE) switches between cells with different geographic locations and frequency coverage areas, leading to poor performance in dual-cell operations.

Innovation Solution

A network side device determines the best signal quality among available cells and instructs the UE to communicate with a first cell using one carrier while using a third cell with the best signal quality on a different carrier, even if the cells are at different geographic locations, thereby optimizing downlink connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a DC terminal uses F1 as a primary carrier and F2 as a secondary carrier to establish downlink connections in M1 and M2, then downlink throughput rate is improved, but when the terminal enters P1, interference from P1 causes poor signal quality in M2 and high loss of information

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedownlink throughput rateVSAvoidsignal quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic cell selection for secondary carrier operations. The terminal determines whether to operate in DC mode or single-carrier mode based on real-time signal quality measurements (RSCP/ECIO) of candidate cells. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to switch between dual-carrier and single-carrier configurations, optimizing throughput while maintaining signal quality by avoiding cells with poor interference conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the terminal measures signal quality parameters (RSCP, ECIO) of candidate cells and reports them to the network. Based on this feedback, the network determines the appropriate operating mode (DC or single-carrier) and configures the terminal accordingly. This closed-loop feedback ensures that the system adapts to changing radio conditions to maintain both throughput and signal quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Area of stationary object

If antennas of F1 and F2 are at different geographic locations, then coverage area is expanded, but F1 and F2 cannot constitute a DC carrier group, causing loss of multi-carrier connection and high loss of information

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidmulti-carrier connection
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the multi-carrier operation into two distinct modes: DC mode (dual-carrier) and single-carrier mode. This segmentation allows the system to flexibly switch between operating modes based on whether candidate cells meet the geographic location requirement for DC carrier group formation. By separating the operation into distinct modes, the system can maintain multi-carrier connections when conditions permit while still providing service when they don't, preventing complete loss of connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the communication system based on the geographic location relationship between candidate cells. When cells are at the same geographic location, the system operates in DC mode with both carriers active. When cells are at different locations, the system transitions to single-carrier mode, changing the operational state to maintain connection while avoiding the DC carrier group requirement. This parameter change prevents loss of multi-carrier connection by adapting to geographic constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the terminal selects F2 frequency as a primary carrier, then downlink throughput rate is improved, but when entering P1, the terminal loses multi-carrier connection due to unavailable micro cell, causing high loss of information

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedownlink throughput rateVSAvoidmulti-carrier connection
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary determination of the operating mode before establishing the multi-carrier connection. The terminal first measures and reports signal quality of candidate cells on the secondary carrier frequency. Based on this preliminary information, the network determines whether DC mode or single-carrier mode should be used, and only then establishes the appropriate connection configuration. This preliminary action prevents loss of multi-carrier connection by ensuring the selected mode is appropriate for the current radio conditions before commitment is made.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2941087B1Multi-carrier communication method, apparatus, and device
Publication Date: 2019.04.10 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP2941087B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP2941087B1 patent drawingFigure 1c~2
  • EP2941087B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A multi-carrier communication method, apparatus, and device are provided, which can improve subscriber experience. The method includes: acquiring, by a network side device, signal quality of at least one cell of a second carrier measured by a user equipment UE; determining, by the network side device according to the signal quality of the at least one cell of the second carrier measured by the UE, a third cell whose signal quality is the best among the at least one cell of the second carrier; and instructing, by the network side device, the UE to communicate with a first cell of the first carrier via the first carrier while communicating with the third cell via the second carrier, where the first carrier is different from the second carrier, and antennas of the third cell and the first cell are at different geographic locations.