Primary Component Carrier Change via RACH Procedure

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, particularly in LTE-A, there is no clear method to determine which component carriers can perform the random access channel (RACH) procedure, making it difficult to change the primary component carrier without completing the RACH procedure, which is essential for maintaining connectivity during handovers.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that allow a user equipment (UE) to receive a handover command to change its primary component carrier by performing a RACH procedure on specified or indicated uplink or downlink component carriers, enabling successful handover by identifying suitable carriers for the RACH process based on provided information or predetermined strategies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the UE performs handover procedure without clear RACH procedure specification, then handover speed is improved, but connection reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandover speedVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring RACH parameters and procedures in the handover command message before the actual handover execution. The network provides RACH configuration information for target component carriers in advance, enabling the UE to immediately perform RACH procedure without additional signaling delays, thus improving handover speed while ensuring connection reliability through pre-validated RACH parameters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the system allows flexible PCC change, then network flexibility is improved, but procedure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork flexibilityVSAvoidprocedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by separating the PCC change procedure into distinct phases: RACH procedure phase and PCC activation phase. The handover command includes separate RACH configuration for target carriers and separate PCC change indication. This segmentation allows flexible PCC change while reducing procedure complexity by providing clear, step-by-step execution steps for the UE

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the handover command message as an intermediary that carries both RACH configuration information and PCC change instructions. This intermediary mechanism consolidates multiple control functions into a single standardized message structure, enabling flexible PCC change without increasing overall procedure complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the RACH procedure is required on all component carriers, then connection reliability is improved, but handover time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidhandover time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by requiring RACH procedure only on the target component carrier where the UE needs to establish uplink synchronization, rather than on all component carriers. The handover command specifies RACH configuration only for the relevant target carrier, allowing the UE to complete handover faster while maintaining connection reliability through targeted RACH execution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP2373111B1Method of changing primary component carrier and related communication device
Publication Date: 2016.08.10 HTC CORP
  • EP2373111B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2373111B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2373111B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of changing a primary component carrier (PCC) for a mobile device in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a handover command from a network of the wireless communication system to change a first uplink primary component carrier of a first plurality of uplink component carriers or a first downlink primary component carrier of a first plurality of downlink component carriers, and performing a random access channel (RACH) procedure on at least one of uplink component carriers according to the handover command.