PHY/MAC Mobility Signaling for Dynamic Cell Activation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems, particularly in NR and LTE, lack efficient mechanisms for dynamically updating the set of cells activated to serve a user equipment (UE), leading to suboptimal mobility management and resource utilization.

Innovation Solution

Implementing physical layer (PHY) or medium access control (MAC) layer signaling, such as downlink control information (DCI), to dynamically activate or deactivate cells and update related information, allowing for more efficient mobility management and resource allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If dynamic cell activation/deactivation is implemented at PHY/MAC layer, then mobility management efficiency and resource utilization are improved, but system complexity increases due to additional signaling mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemobility management efficiencyVSAvoidsignaling mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic cell activation and deactivation at the PHY/MAC layer, allowing the network to adaptively configure serving cells based on real-time UE location and traffic conditions. The gNB can dynamically activate/deactivate cells via MAC CE signaling, and the UE can perform autonomous cell switching based on pre-configured parameters, transforming the static cell configuration into a dynamic, adaptive system that optimizes resource utilization while managing complexity through layered control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of energy

If dynamic cell switching is enabled, then resource utilization and spectral efficiency are improved, but latency in mobility management increases due to additional signaling processing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidmobility management latency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple serving cells and their associated parameters before the UE actually needs to switch cells. The network pre-establishes cell activation/deactivation configurations and the UE stores mobility parameters in advance, enabling rapid cell switching without requiring complex real-time signaling processing. This pre-preparation allows the system to achieve fast cell reconfiguration while minimizing latency during actual mobility events.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If MAC layer mobility signaling is implemented, then adaptability of mobility management is improved, but reliability may be affected due to additional processing layers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemobility management adaptabilityVSAvoidmobility signaling reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the UE reports its location, traffic conditions, and cell measurement information back to the gNB. Based on this feedback, the network dynamically adjusts cell activation/deactivation decisions and mobility parameters. The UE also provides feedback on mobility parameter configurations, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions while maintaining reliability through continuous monitoring and adjustment of mobility management parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4176625B1Physical layer or medium access control based mobility signaling
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4176625B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4176625B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4176625B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

Aspects of the present disclosure provide a method for wireless communications by a user equipment, UE. The method generally includes receiving (802) radio resource control, RRC, signaling indicating a set of cells that support physical, PHY, layer or medium access control, MAC, layer mobility signaling, receiving (804) at least one downlink control information, DCI, indicating mobility information for the set of cells, and updating (806) one or more features of the set of cells based on the DCI.