Wireless Device Scheduling Post-Gap Subframes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication networks face challenges in accurately determining measurement gap configurations for UEs, particularly when TA commands impact UL timing, leading to uncertainties in measurement gap positioning and potential reduction in radio time for cell search and measurements.

Innovation Solution

A network node determines whether a wireless device is of a first type or a second type with respect to post-gap subframes, allowing for adaptive scheduling and measurement gap configuration to accommodate devices' transmission capabilities, thereby ensuring optimal use of measurement gaps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If measurement gaps are configured for UEs to perform inter-frequency and inter-RAT measurements, then measurement capability is improved, but UL timing alignment may be disrupted due to TA commands applied during gap periods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement capabilityVSAvoidUL timing alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The network node determines the UE's transmission capability regarding post-gap subframes before configuring measurement gaps. This preliminary classification allows the network to proactively plan TA command applications and measurement gap configurations that avoid timing conflicts, rather than reacting to timing issues after they occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention segments UEs into two distinct types based on their transmission capability in post-gap subframes. This segmentation allows the network to apply different scheduling and TA command strategies for each type, resolving the contradiction by treating each segment with appropriate timing considerations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If TA commands are applied to adjust UL timing, then timing alignment accuracy is improved, but measurement gap positioning becomes uncertain, reducing radio time for measurements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetiming alignment accuracyVSAvoidradio time for measurements
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The network dynamically adjusts measurement gap configuration based on the UE's classified transmission capability and the timing impact of pending TA commands. For UEs capable of transmitting in post-gap subframes, measurement gaps can be positioned more flexibly, maximizing radio time while maintaining timing alignment through coordinated TA application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameter of measurement gap configuration (positioning and timing) based on the UE's transmission capability parameter. By adapting the measurement gap parameters to match the UE's ability to handle TA commands, the system maintains timing alignment accuracy while optimizing measurement time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the network schedules UEs without knowing their post-gap transmission capability, then scheduling flexibility is maintained, but scheduling efficiency decreases due to timing conflicts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling flexibilityVSAvoidscheduling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The network performs preliminary determination of UE transmission capability before scheduling decisions are made. This advance knowledge enables the network to efficiently schedule UEs in post-gap subframes when appropriate, avoiding timing conflicts and improving overall scheduling productivity while maintaining flexibility through capability-based classification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies different scheduling qualities to different UE types based on their local transmission capability. UEs capable of post-gap transmission receive optimized scheduling that utilizes post-gap subframes, while other UEs receive scheduling that avoids timing conflicts, thereby improving overall system efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3127364B1Method and apparatus for scheduling of a wireless device
Publication Date: 2019.05.22 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3127364B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3127364B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3127364B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

According to one aspect of the teachings herein, a network node determines whether a wireless device is of a first type or a second type, with respect to "post-gap" subframes, and that determination is used, for example, to improve or otherwise adapt scheduling with respect to the wireless device, or with respect to other wireless devices. Additionally, or alternatively, the type determination is accounted for when configuring measurement gaps for the wireless device, or for other wireless devices. As noted, "post-gap" subframes in this context are those subframes immediately follow a measurement gap that is preceded by an uplink subframe or a special subframe. Further, wireless devices of the first type have no ability or a limited ability to transmit in post-gap subframes, whereas wireless devices of the second type have the ability to transmit in post-gap subframes.