Power-Efficient Multi-Link Activation in Mobile Communications

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Solution Overview

Problem

In mobile communications, multi-link operations such as Carrier Aggregation (CA) or Dual/Multi Connectivity (DC/MC) increase data transmission speeds but result in higher power consumption and delayed initial data transfer on primary carriers due to activation times, leading to poor user experience and excessive power usage, especially when additional carriers are kept active even when no data is expected.

Innovation Solution

A power-efficient mechanism where user equipment (UE) deactivates additional links when no data is expected and activates them only when data activity is detected on the primary link, reducing power consumption and enhancing data throughput by dynamically managing link states through monitoring and conditional activation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If additional carriers are kept active to reduce activation delay, then initial data transfer speed is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinitial data transfer speedVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the carrier activation state changeable rather than fixed. The UE dynamically switches between active and inactive states for secondary carriers based on data arrival conditions. When data is detected on the primary carrier, the UE activates secondary carriers; when no data is expected, the UE deactivates them. This dynamic state transition resolves the contradiction by allowing fast activation when needed while saving power during idle periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If multiple links are monitored continuously to enable fast data transmission, then data throughput is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata throughputVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by having the UE monitor only the primary carrier continuously while performing partial or selective monitoring of secondary carriers. The UE monitors secondary carriers only when data is detected on the primary carrier, rather than continuously monitoring all carriers. This partial monitoring approach maintains data throughput capability while significantly reducing power consumption during idle periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Loss of time

If secondary carriers are activated in advance to reduce activation time, then activation delay is reduced, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactivation delayVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring secondary carriers with necessary parameters and maintaining them in an inactive but quickly activatable state. The UE receives configuration information for secondary carriers in advance through RRC signaling, so when data arrives on the primary carrier, the activation process is expedited rather than starting from scratch. This preliminary preparation reduces activation delay without requiring continuous active monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If Carrier Aggregation or Dual Connectivity is configured to increase data transmission capability, then data transmission speed is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission speedVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the carrier management into distinct functional segments: primary carrier for continuous monitoring and control, and secondary carriers for data transmission that are activated only when needed. This segmentation allows the UE to maintain CA or DC/MC configuration for high data transmission capability while managing complexity by separating always-active functions from conditional functions. The UE handles primary carrier management continuously and secondary carrier management event-driven.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10912026B2Power-efficient mechanism for multi-link operation in mobile communications
Publication Date: 2021.02.02 HFI INNOVATION INC
  • US10912026B2 patent drawing
  • US10912026B2 patent drawing
  • US10912026B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Various solutions for power-efficient mechanism for multi-link operation with respect to user equipment and network apparatus in mobile communications are described. An apparatus may establish a first link and a second link with at least one of a plurality of network nodes. The apparatus may monitor the first link. The apparatus may stop monitoring the second link. The apparatus may determine whether a condition is triggered on the first link. The apparatus may activate the second link in response to the condition being triggered on the first link.