Neighbor-Cell RSS Bitmap Encoding to Reduce UE PDCCH Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication networks face challenges in efficiently signaling resynchronization signal (RSS) configurations to user equipment (UE), particularly in poor coverage areas, leading to increased energy consumption and synchronization issues for UEs in RRC_IDLE state.
Innovation Solution
A method for encoding RSS configurations of neighbor cells, including frequency locations and time offsets, is implemented by network nodes, where parameters are transmitted using bitmaps and physical cell identifiers (PCIs), allowing UEs to determine specific configurations based on received encoded parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If RSS configurations are signaled using traditional methods, then UEs can synchronize with neighbor cells, but energy consumption increases and synchronization efficiency decreases in poor coverage areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential RSS configuration parameters (frequency locations and time offsets) and transmits them using compact bitmap encodings rather than full configuration messages. This extraction of critical information reduces the signaling overhead and subsequent PDCCH monitoring requirements, directly lowering UE energy consumption while maintaining synchronization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The network node performs preliminary encoding of RSS parameters into compact bitmap formats before transmission. By pre-processing the configuration data into an efficient encoded form, the UE receives condensed information that requires less processing and monitoring, thereby reducing energy consumption during the synchronization process in poor coverage areas.
2Measurement precision
If detailed RSS parameters are transmitted to UEs, then synchronization accuracy improves, but signaling overhead and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the representation of RSS parameters by changing from detailed explicit configurations to compact bitmap encodings. Frequency locations and time offsets are encoded using bitmaps where each bit represents a specific parameter value, maintaining full precision information while dramatically reducing the signaling payload size and processing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of transmitting full RSS configuration structures, the patent uses bitmap copies that represent the essential parameter information. The bitmaps serve as compressed representations that contain all necessary synchronization data in a compact form, reducing signaling overhead while preserving measurement precision.
3Reliability
If UEs monitor PDCCH continuously for RSS configurations, then synchronization reliability improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the critical RSS timing and frequency information into compact bitmap parameters that are transmitted efficiently. This extraction allows UEs to obtain necessary synchronization data with minimal PDCCH monitoring, reducing the time the UE radio needs to remain active and thereby reducing energy loss while maintaining synchronization reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The encoded RSS parameters enable UEs to perform periodic synchronization checks rather than continuous PDCCH monitoring. By providing pre-encoded frequency locations and time offsets, the UE can efficiently tune to the correct resources periodically, reducing continuous monitoring requirements and associated energy consumption.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments include methods, performed by a network node in a wireless network, for signaling resynchronization signal (RSS) configurations of neighbor cells to one or more user equipment (UEs). Such methods include encoding a plurality of parameters of respective RSS configurations of one or more neighbor cells. For each particular neighbor cell, the parameters can include one or more RSS frequency locations and an RSS time offset for the particular neighbor cell, and the encoding can be based on a bitmap and a parameter associated with the particular neighbor cell (e.g., a physical cell ID). Such methods also include transmitting, to the one or more UEs, at least a portion of the encoded parameters of the respective RSS configurations of the neighbor cells. Embodiments also include complementary methods performed by UEs, as well as network nodes and UEs configured to perform such methods.