Non-Anchor Carrier Paging in Multi-Carrier Networks

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In multi-carrier cell networks, non-anchor carriers cannot receive paging messages, leading to limited paging capacity and load imbalance due to the exclusive use of anchor carriers for paging.

Innovation Solution

A method where a paging message from a base station is received on a first non-anchor carrier, and based on downlink data arrival or system message change indication, a random access is initiated or a changed system message is received, allowing non-anchor carriers to fully utilize resources and balance load by potentially switching to anchor carriers when necessary.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If paging is only carried on the Anchor-Carrier, then the system maintains simple paging structure and reliable paging delivery, but the paging capacity is greatly limited and the carrier load is unbalanced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepaging delivery reliabilityVSAvoidpaging capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables non-anchor carriers to perform paging functions in addition to their original data service functions. By configuring non-anchor carriers with paging downlink control channels and paging physical downlink shared channels, the system transforms single-function carriers into multi-functional carriers, allowing paging operations to be distributed across multiple carriers rather than being confined to the anchor carrier alone.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the paging function across multiple carriers by configuring different carriers with different paging-related parameters. Each non-anchor carrier is assigned specific paging downlink control channel resources and paging physical downlink shared channel resources, segmenting the overall paging capacity across multiple frequency points to increase total paging capacity while maintaining reliable delivery through distributed architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If paging is only carried on the Anchor-Carrier, then the paging structure remains simple and easy to implement, but the carrier load becomes unbalanced with the anchor carrier bearing excessive burden

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepaging structure complexityVSAvoidcarrier load balance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the paging load across multiple carriers by configuring non-anchor carriers with paging downlink control channels and paging physical downlink shared channels. This distribution of paging operations from a single anchor carrier to multiple non-anchor carriers balances the carrier load, preventing the anchor carrier from being overloaded while maintaining manageable complexity through systematic configuration of paging parameters across carriers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If non-anchor carriers are configured to receive paging messages, then the paging capacity is greatly expanded and load is balanced, but the device complexity increases due to additional configuration parameters and procedures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepaging capacityVSAvoidpaging configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves expanded paging capacity by enabling non-anchor carriers to handle paging messages. The complexity is managed through systematic configuration where non-anchor carriers are assigned paging downlink control channel parameters, paging physical downlink shared channel parameters, and associations with specific user equipment. This structured approach to multi-functional carrier configuration expands capacity while organizing the increased complexity in a manageable framework.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3499930B1Paging method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2021.11.24 ZTE CORP
  • EP3499930B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3499930B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3499930B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Disclosed in embodiments of the present disclosure are a paging method, apparatus and system and a user equipment, which relate to the field of communications, and are for use in resolving the problems in the prior art of limitation of a paging capacity and imbalance of load caused when a non-anchor carrier in a multi -carrier cell cannot receive a paging massage. The method comprises: receiving a paging message from a base station on a first non-anchor carrier in a multi-carrier cell, the paging message carrying downlink data arrival indication information and/or system message change indication information; and initiating a random access according to the paging message, and/or receiving a changed system message, the multi-carrier cell comprising one anchor carrier and multiple non-anchor carrier.