Multi-cell Configuration via Service Information Exchange

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multi-cell configuration methods in 3GPP New Radio communication systems lead to increased cell resource overhead and resource waste due to inefficient resumption or activation of multi-cell operations, particularly when switching from RRC inactive to RRC connected states.

Innovation Solution

A method where a terminal and base station exchange service configuration information, including radio bearer and cell measurement report thresholds, to determine and activate multi-cell operations only when necessary, reducing unnecessary resource allocation and improving efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multi-cell operations are configured for UE in RRC inactive state, then data transmission capability is improved, but cell resource overhead increases and resource waste occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission capabilityVSAvoidcell resource overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The network pre-configures measurement parameters and candidate cell information for the UE in RRC inactive state, enabling the UE to perform measurements and report results without establishing full RRC connection. This preliminary action allows the network to quickly determine whether multi-cell configuration is needed, avoiding unnecessary resource allocation while maintaining the capability for rapid data transmission when required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Speed

If multi-cell configuration information is transmitted to UE, then data transmission speed is improved, but transmission overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission speedVSAvoidtransmission overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of transmitting complete multi-cell configuration information to the UE in RRC inactive state, the patent transmits only partial configuration information including measurement parameters and candidate cell lists. The full configuration is only established when the UE reports measurement results indicating suitable candidate cells, thus achieving fast data transmission capability while minimizing transmission overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If UE switches to RRC connected state for data transmission, then data transmission capability is improved, but switching time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission capabilityVSAvoidstate switching time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables UE in RRC inactive state to perform cell measurements and report results to the network without switching to RRC connected state. The network uses these measurement reports to determine whether multi-cell configuration should be activated, making the state switching decision based on pre-collected measurement data rather than after switching, thus reducing switching time while maintaining data transmission capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Speed

If complete configuration information is reserved for UE, then configuration resumption speed is improved, but memory resources are wasted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration resumption speedVSAvoidmemory resources
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of reserving complete multi-cell configuration information in the UE, the patent reserves only essential configuration elements such as measurement parameters and candidate cell identifiers. The full configuration information is retrieved or established on-demand based on measurement reports, optimizing the balance between configuration resumption speed and memory resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3965455B1Multi-cell configuration method and apparatus, storage medium, terminal and base station
Publication Date: 2023.11.15 SPREADTRUM COMMUNICATION (SHANGHAI) CO LTD
  • EP3965455B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3965455B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3965455B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A multi-cell configuration method and apparatus, a storage medium, a terminal and a base station. The method comprises: sending service information of data to be transmitted, wherein the service information comprises one or more of the following: radio bearer information of the data to be transmitted, logical channel information of the data to be transmitted, an access category of the data to be transmitted, an access identity of the data to be transmitted, a multi-cell operation indicator, a replication transmission indicator, and an indicator indicating that the service data amount of the data to be transmitted exceeds a preset service amount threshold; and receiving multi-cell configuration information, wherein the multi-cell configuration information is used for instructing a user equipment to resume or activate a multi-cell operation. The solution provided in the present invention can accelerate a multi-cell resumption or configuration process.