Network-Configured Scheduling Restrictions for Carrier Aggregation Throughput
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional carrier aggregation in 5G networks restricts data communication on component carriers during reference signal measurements, leading to throughput degradation due to measurement gaps and scheduling restrictions.
Innovation Solution
Network-configured scheduling restrictions allow simultaneous data communication and reference signal measurements on multiple component carriers by indicating usable CCs during measurement time periods using a patterned configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If reference signal measurements are performed on component carriers, then measurement accuracy is improved, but data communication throughput deteriorates due to scheduling restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the component carriers into different groups: some carriers are designated for measurement activities while others are designated for data communication. This segmentation allows the UE to perform reference signal measurements on specific carriers without restricting data communication on other carriers, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different operational modes on different carriers. Specifically, certain carriers have measurement restrictions applied while other carriers maintain full data communication capability. This localized approach ensures that measurement accuracy is improved where needed without sacrificing overall system throughput.
2Reliability
If measurement gaps are introduced for reference signal measurements, then measurement reliability is improved, but data transmission capacity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for measurement gaps by segmenting carriers for measurement and data communication purposes. The UE can simultaneously perform measurements on designated carriers while maintaining data communication on other carriers, thereby improving measurement reliability without sacrificing data transmission capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous data communication on carriers not designated for measurement activities. This continuity of useful action ensures that data transmission capacity is maintained at full levels while measurement reliability is improved through dedicated measurement carriers.
3Measurement precision
If scheduling restrictions are applied during measurement time periods, then measurement precision is improved, but data communication efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the set of configured component carriers into measurement carriers and data carriers. Scheduling restrictions are applied only to measurement carriers during their designated measurement time periods, while data carriers continue to operate without restrictions. This segmentation improves measurement precision without deteriorating overall data communication efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies scheduling restrictions locally only to specific carriers designated for measurement activities, rather than applying restrictions system-wide. This localized application of restrictions allows measurement precision to be improved on measurement carriers while data communication efficiency is maintained on data carriers.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application relates to devices and components including apparatus, systems, and methods for using network-configured scheduling restrictions to improve throughput. Particularly, a network can send to a user equipment (UE) configuration information that indicates a scheduling restriction pattern. Based on this pattern, the UE can determine, during a measurement time period (e.g., SMTC), whether a scheduling restriction applies to a component carrier or not. If the scheduling restriction applies, the UE can perform a measurement during the measurement time period on a reference signal received on the CC. Otherwise, the network can schedule, for the UE, a data transmission and/or a data reception on the CC during the measurement time period.