Multicarrier Measurement Cell Subset Selection and Handover Triggering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing LTE Release-8 measurement procedures are inadequate for multicarrier operation, failing to efficiently facilitate handovers and measurement report triggering due to their single-carrier operation focus, which is insufficient for the complexities of multicarrier environments.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of methods and apparatuses that select and evaluate subsets of cells, including serving and non-serving cells, to monitor measurement events and trigger reports based on comparisons between measurements, enabling efficient handovers and strategic reception band placement in multicarrier systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing LTE Release-8 measurement procedures are used, then single-carrier operation is supported, but multicarrier operation efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulticarrier operation supportVSAvoidmeasurement procedure efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the measurement procedure into distinct phases: identifying component carriers, selecting candidate cells, performing measurements on specific carriers, and evaluating measurement results. This segmentation allows the system to handle multicarrier operations systematically, addressing each aspect separately rather than attempting to process all carriers simultaneously, thereby improving overall efficiency while maintaining adaptability to multiple carriers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary actions by pre-identifying component carriers and pre-selecting candidate cells before actual measurement and handover decisions. The network configures measurement objects and reporting configurations in advance, allowing the terminal to perform measurements only on relevant carriers and cells, thus avoiding unnecessary measurements and improving measurement procedure efficiency in multicarrier environments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If all cells are monitored for measurement events, then comprehensive handover decisions are achieved, but measurement complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandover decision accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement monitoring complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating measurement requirements for different cell types and carrier configurations. Instead of uniformly monitoring all cells with the same measurement criteria, the system applies specific measurement objects and reporting configurations tailored to each component carrier and candidate cell combination. This localized approach ensures reliable handover decisions for critical cells while reducing unnecessary monitoring of less relevant cells, thereby managing complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial action by monitoring only a subset of cells that are most relevant for handover decisions. The system identifies candidate cells based on pre-configuration and measurement objectives, then focuses measurement resources on these selected cells rather than all possible cells. This partial monitoring approach maintains handover reliability for the most important cells while significantly reducing the overall measurement complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If measurement procedures are optimized for single-carrier operation, then single-carrier performance is improved, but multicarrier handover efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesingle-carrier measurement efficiencyVSAvoidmulticarrier handover capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universality by designing a measurement framework that can handle both single-carrier and multicarrier operations through a unified architecture. The same measurement objects, reporting configurations, and evaluation procedures are applied regardless of whether the system operates on one carrier or multiple carriers. This universal approach allows the system to maintain optimized single-carrier performance while simultaneously providing adaptability to multicarrier handover scenarios

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by making the measurement configuration adaptable to the current operational mode. The system dynamically adjusts which component carriers are monitored and which candidate cells are evaluated based on the actual network conditions and handover requirements. This dynamic configuration allows the measurement procedure to be optimized for single-carrier operation when appropriate while seamlessly transitioning to multicarrier handover mode when needed, maintaining efficiency across different operational contexts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2443867B1Method and apparatus that facilitates measurement procedures in multicarrier operation
Publication Date: 2017.05.24 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP2443867B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2443867B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2443867B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Aspects directed towards measurement procedures in multicarrier operation are disclosed. In a particular aspect, a wireless terminal selects a subset of cells, which include at least one serving cell and at least one non-serving cell. The subset of cells are then evaluated by obtaining a first measurement associated with the at least one serving cell and a second measurement associated with the at least one non-serving cell. A measurement event occurrence, which is based on a comparison between the first measurement and the second measurement, is then monitored. An occurrence of the measurement event triggers a measurement report transmission, which the network then uses to perform handovers. Other disclosed embodiments are directed towards placing a reception band, which include identifying a set of assigned component carriers and placing a reception band within the system bandwidth so that the placement overlaps with at least a portion of the assigned component carriers.