Network-Indicated SCell States for UE Suspend/Resume Mobility
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Solution Overview
Problem
The current specification of the RRC_INACTIVE state in NR UE power consumption has issues with the activation or deactivation of SCells when the UE resumes RRC_CONNECTED operation, leading to ambiguity and excessive signaling, as well as potential inefficiencies in managing SCell states during mobility procedures.
Innovation Solution
The network indicates the specific state for SCells in a resume message, allowing the UE to maintain or default states for SCells, and includes techniques for handling SCell state-changing timers, thereby reducing ambiguity and signaling overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UE stores and restores SCell states during suspend/resume operations, then the activation/deactivation of SCells becomes ambiguous and excessive signaling is required, but if the UE does not store SCell states, then the network cannot efficiently manage SCell states during mobility procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The network node determines the SCell state (activated or deactivated) before the UE resumes RRC_CONNECTED operation, and this determination is carried forward during the resume process. By pre-determining the SCell state before resume, the patent avoids ambiguity in SCell state management while reducing signaling overhead, as the state is already established prior to the resume operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the network node receives information about the UE's current SCell state and uses this feedback to make informed decisions about SCell activation/deactivation during suspend and resume operations. This feedback loop allows the network to efficiently manage SCell states without requiring excessive signaling, as the network has real-time information about the UE's cell state.
2Manufacturing precision
If the network sends detailed SCell state information in resume messages, then SCell state management becomes precise, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential SCell state information (activated or deactivated) that is necessary for the resume operation, rather than transmitting complete SCell configuration details. By taking out only the critical state determination information, the patent achieves precise SCell state management while minimizing signaling overhead, as unnecessary configuration data is not transmitted.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by providing just enough SCell state information in the resume message to enable proper SCell management, without including excessive detail. The network node determines the SCell state and provides this determination in the resume message, which is sufficient for the UE to properly manage SCells without requiring complete configuration information, thus reducing signaling overhead while maintaining precision.
3Productivity
If the UE activates all SCells upon resume, then data transmission capacity is maximized, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic SCell state management where the UE activates or deactivates SCells based on the network's determination communicated in the resume message, rather than statically activating all SCells. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize between data transmission capacity and energy consumption by activating only the necessary SCells based on current network conditions and UE requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the SCell state parameter (activated or deactivated) based on the network's determination provided in the resume message. By dynamically adjusting this parameter rather than maintaining a fixed state of all SCells being activated, the patent achieves optimal balance between data transmission capacity and energy consumption, activating SCells only when necessary according to network conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments include methods performed by a user equipment (UE), for managing the UE's secondary serving cells (SCells) in a wireless network. Such methods include receiving, from a first network node, a message to suspend a connection with the first network node. The connection is via a plurality of configured cells including a primary serving cell (PCell) and one or more SCells, which have respective first SCell states. Such methods also include suspending the connection in response to the suspend message. Such methods also include receiving, from the first network node or a second network node, a message to resume the connection. The resume message includes indication of indication of second SCell states for one or more of the following: the one or more SCells, and one or more further SCells to be added to the configured cells more SCells, and one or more further SCells to be added to the configured cells upon resuming the connection. Embodiments also include complementary methods performed by a wireless network.