Non-Collocated Carrier Aggregation for Power-Imbalanced CCs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Intra-band co-located carrier aggregation (CA) is cost-inefficient or infeasible due to operator spectrum situations, particularly in frequency ranges like 3300˜4200 MHz, where there is no room for collocating later launched antennas with early ones, and existing requirements only consider 6 dB power imbalance for collocated scenarios, neglecting larger power imbalances in non-collocated CA.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a UE and BS system that supports non-collocated CA by transmitting capability information, receiving measurement objects, and activating/deactivating non-collocated component carriers based on power imbalance and time difference thresholds, with enhanced RF and demodulation requirements for improved performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If intra-band co-located CA is implemented, then antenna collocation is achieved, but it becomes cost-inefficient or infeasible due to operator spectrum situation and lack of room for later launched antennas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the CA functionality into collocated and non-collocated modes, allowing different deployment scenarios. The UE and BS are configured with specific parameters (power imbalance threshold, time difference threshold) that enable non-collocated CA when physical collocation is not feasible, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining CA performance and enabling flexible deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces new parameters (power imbalance threshold, time difference threshold, MRTD) that allow the system to adapt to non-collocated scenarios. By changing these parameters based on deployment conditions, the system can maintain reliable CA operation whether antennas are collocated or not, thus resolving the contradiction between performance reliability and deployment ease.
2Reliability
If existing CA requirements are used, then 6 dB power imbalance is considered, but larger power imbalances in non-collocated CA are neglected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the power imbalance parameter from a fixed 6 dB requirement to a configurable threshold that can accommodate larger imbalances in non-collocated scenarios. The UE reports support for extended power imbalance ranges, and the BS configures appropriate thresholds, enabling the system to adapt to varying power conditions and thus resolving the contradiction between operational reliability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the CA parameters dynamic rather than static. The power imbalance threshold and time difference threshold are configured based on actual deployment conditions and UE capabilities. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain reliable operation across different power imbalance scenarios, resolving the contradiction between reliability and versatility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If non-collocated CA is supported, then larger power imbalances and time differences are accommodated, but additional capability information transmission and measurement configuration are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the UE report its capability information (support for extended power imbalance, time difference, MRTD) before actual CA configuration. The BS uses this pre-reported information to determine appropriate configuration parameters, avoiding the need for extensive back-and-forth signaling during operation and thus resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.
4Measurement precision
If measurement objects are configured for non-collocated CCs, then accurate measurements can be obtained, but additional measurement configuration and reporting is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the measurement object configuration universal by using the same measurement framework for both collocated and non-collocated CA. The BS configures measurement objects with appropriate parameters (power imbalance threshold, time difference threshold) that work for both scenarios, eliminating the need for separate measurement procedures and thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and signaling overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to non-collocated carrier aggregation (CA). According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a user equipment (UE) comprises a transceiver configured to communicate with a network; and a processor communicatively coupled to the transceiver and configured to perform operations. The operations comprise transmitting capability information about the UE to a base station, the capability information indicating that the UE supports a set of parameters for aggregation of non-collocated component carriers (CCs); receiving, from the base station, measurement object (MOs) which indicate the non-collocated CCs; transmitting, to the base station, measurements associated with the MOs; and receiving, from the base station, a signaling for activating or deactivating the non-collocated CCs.