PUCCH SCell Activation Using Early PDCCH Readiness Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for activating Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) secondary cells in 5G New Radio (NR) systems are inefficient, leading to prolonged activation delays due to the need for random access procedures and lack of clear timing for Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) orders, especially when multiple cells are activated simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
The proposed method enables early PDCCH orders for PUCCH SCell activation by allowing UEs to initiate contention-free random access on the PUCCH SCell upon acquiring DL synchronization and indicating readiness to receive PDCCH, thereby optimizing the timing of PDCCH orders to reduce activation delays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If random access procedures are performed for PUCCH SCell activation, then the SCell can be activated, but the activation delay is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by enabling the UE to indicate readiness to receive PDCCH orders before the actual PDCCH order is received. The UE performs downlink synchronization and prepares the random access procedure in advance, then sends a readiness indication to the network. This allows the network to send the PDCCH order at the optimal time, reducing the overall activation delay while ensuring the random access procedure is properly initiated.
2Loss of time
If PDCCH orders are sent early for PUCCH SCell activation, then activation time is reduced, but timing synchronization becomes uncertain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by having the UE send a readiness indication to the network before receiving the PDCCH order. This feedback mechanism provides the network with timing synchronization information, confirming that the UE has completed downlink synchronization and is ready to receive the PDCCH order. This resolves the timing uncertainty while enabling early PDCCH order transmission.
3Productivity
If multiple SCells are activated simultaneously, then resource aggregation is improved, but activation coordination becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the UE indicate readiness for each SCell activation in advance. The network receives these readiness indications and coordinates the PDCCH orders for multiple SCells based on this pre-established timing information. This simplifies the coordination complexity while maintaining efficient simultaneous activation of multiple SCells for resource aggregation.
Data Source
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AI summary
In accordance with example embodiments of the invention there is at least a method and apparatus to at least perform at least receiving, by a terminal device, from a network node of a communication network at least one message comprising information to be applied at activation of at least one serving cell of the communication network; and applying the information for access to at least one serving cell, wherein the information is for initiating a transmission using a physical random access channel preamble on a physical random access channel resource in at least one secondary cell or primary secondary cell of the at least one serving cell being activated. Also to perform determining, by a network node, for a terminal device of a communication network at least one message comprising information to be applied at activation of at least one serving cell of the communication network; and communicating the information for access to at least one serving cell with the terminal device, wherein the information is for initiating a transmission at the terminal device using a physical random access channel preamble on a physical random access channel resource in at least one secondary cell or primary secondary cell of the at least one serving cell being activated.