NCT Measurement Configuration via Inter-Base-Station Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current LTE RRM measurement methods, such as RSRP and RSRQ, are inadequate for new carrier types (NCT) due to differences in CRS transmission mechanisms, leading to ineffective UE measurement mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A method where a first base station acquires and transmits measurement configuration information, including measurement bandwidth and time, to user equipment (UE) via an inter-base-station interface, allowing accurate measurement of NCT serving and neighboring cells by determining the UE's measurement bandwidth and time based on the new carrier type cell-specific reference signal's transmit bandwidth and time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If current LTE RRM measurement methods (RSRP/RSRQ based on CRS) are used, then measurement can be performed in existing cells, but measurement is ineffective in new carrier types due to different CRS transmission mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement compatibilityVSAvoidmeasurement effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the measurement parameters from traditional RSRP/RSRQ based on CRS to new measurement quantities based on CSI-RS. This parameter change enables the measurement mechanism to adapt to new carrier types while maintaining measurement effectiveness, as CSI-RS has different transmission characteristics suitable for NCT

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal measurement framework that can work across both existing LTE cells and new carrier types. By defining new measurement quantities based on CSI-RS that can be applied to both cell types, the system achieves multi-functionality and broad adaptability without sacrificing reliability in either scenario

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

2Ease of operation

If UE performs measurement based on any subframe without limitation, then measurement flexibility is high, but measurement precision is reduced due to radio channel fading

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement flexibilityVSAvoidRSRP/RSRQ measurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces measurement timing configurations that specify particular subframes for measurement. This preliminary action of pre-defining measurement opportunities ensures that measurements are performed at optimal times when channel conditions are favorable, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining operational flexibility through configurable timing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If UE performs measurement in six central PRBs or measurement bandwidth, then measurement can be performed with limited bandwidth, but network cannot know actual measurement bandwidth used by UE

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement configuration simplicityVSAvoidmeasurement bandwidth information
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the network configures specific measurement bandwidth parameters to the UE, and the UE reports back measurement results along with the actual bandwidth used. This feedback loop ensures that the network maintains awareness of the measurement bandwidth being used while keeping the UE configuration simple and manageable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2943000B1Measurement method, user equipment, base station and wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2019.07.24 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP2943000B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2943000B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2943000B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a measurement method, user equipment, a base station, and a wireless communications system, where implementation of the method includes: acquiring, by a first base station, transmit bandwidth and transmit time of a new carrier type cell-specific reference signal in a cell of a second base station through an inter-base-station interface; determining, according to transmit bandwidth and transmit time of a new carrier type cell-specific reference signal in a cell of the first base station and the transmit bandwidth and the transmit time of the new carrier type cell-specific reference signal in the cell of the second base station, measurement bandwidth and measurement time corresponding to a cell in which user equipment is located; and transmitting measurement configuration information including the measurement bandwidth and the measurement time to the user equipment. The first base station may acquire the transmit bandwidth and the transmit time of the new carrier type cell-specific reference signal in the cell of the second base station, and deliver, to UE, measurement configuration information including two pieces of information, namely, measurement bandwidth and measurement time. Therefore, a solution for performing effective measurement in a new carrier type is provided.