Multicarrier ProSe Interruption Management via Network Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for Device-to-Device (D2D) communications in LTE systems experience interruptions in Wide Area Network (WAN) operations due to Proximity Services (ProSe) operations, leading to performance degradation and resource wastage, especially when switching between WAN and D2D modes, and when ProSe operations are conducted over multiple carriers.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for configuring wireless devices to manage interruptions in WAN operations by determining and adapting ProSe periodicity and scheduling configurations to ensure aggregated interruptions remain below a specified threshold, allowing for efficient resource sharing between WAN and ProSe operations across multiple carriers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If ProSe operation is enabled over multiple carriers, then device-to-device communication capability is improved, but interruption in WAN operation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveProSe operation capabilityVSAvoidWAN operation continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments ProSe operations across multiple carriers by configuring separate resource pools on different component carriers. This allows the device to perform ProSe discovery and communication on specific carriers while maintaining WAN operations on other carriers, thereby reducing interruptions to WAN connectivity while preserving multi-carrier ProSe capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If receiver chain switching between WAN and D2D is implemented, then dual-mode operation is achieved, but interruption duration increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveDual-mode operation capabilityVSAvoidInterruption duration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by configuring measurement gaps in advance for frequency measurements related to ProSe operations. These pre-configured gaps allow the receiver chain to switch between WAN and D2D modes without causing unexpected interruptions to ongoing WAN transmissions, as the switching times are predetermined and accounted for in the resource allocation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If ProSe resource pools are configured on multiple carriers, then ProSe communication flexibility is improved, but resource coordination complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveProSe resource allocation flexibilityVSAvoidResource configuration management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the network node receives information from the wireless device about its ProSe operation status and WAN performance. Based on this feedback, the network dynamically adjusts and reconfigures ProSe resource pools across carriers, optimizing the balance between ProSe flexibility and WAN reliability while simplifying resource coordination through centralized control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11696352B2Methods for limiting interruption in multicarrier ProSe operation

Publication Date: 2023.07.04 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

A method in a network node (115) is disclosed for managing interruptions to Wide Area Network, WAN, operation of a wireless device (110), wherein the wireless device provides Proximity Services, ProSe, over at least two carriers (305, 310). The method comprises determining (804) a configuration of the wireless device for ProSe operation such that an aggregated interruption to the WAN operation of the wireless device is below an allowed interruption value.