PUCCH SCell Activation via Valid Timing Advance
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, particularly in LTE and 5G NR, the activation of physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) secondary cells (SCells) faces challenges due to invalid or absent timing advance (TA) values, which hinders efficient PUCCH SCell activation and channel state information (CSI) reporting.
Innovation Solution
A method involving user equipment (UE) and network devices that obtain and utilize PUCCH SCell activation commands, perform PUCCH SCell activation operations with valid TA when met, and generate CSI reports to confirm activation completion, ensuring seamless PUCCH SCell activation and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If PUCCH SCell activation is performed without valid TA, then activation speed is improved, but activation reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The network device performs random access procedure and obtains TA value before issuing PUCCH SCell activation command. This preliminary action ensures that the UE has valid TA information ready before activation, resolving the contradiction by preparing the timing advance in advance to enable both fast and reliable activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary random access procedure between the activation command and actual PUCCH transmission. This intermediary step provides the necessary TA information without directly delaying the activation process, as the RA procedure can be quickly completed to establish timing synchronization.
2Reliability
If random access procedure is performed to obtain valid TA, then activation reliability is improved, but activation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The random access procedure is performed in advance before the PUCCH SCell activation command is issued. This preliminary action ensures that TA is obtained beforehand, so when activation occurs, no additional time is needed for TA acquisition, thus improving reliability without increasing activation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The activation process is segmented into distinct phases: TA acquisition phase (random access), command transmission phase (activation command with DA indicator), and execution phase (PUCCH activation). This segmentation allows TA to be obtained independently in advance, separating the time-consuming RA procedure from the actual activation timing.
3Measurement precision
If PUCCH SCell activation command includes DA indicator, then activation accuracy is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The DA indicator is applied locally and selectively - it is included in the PUCCH SCell activation command only when the SCell is configured with PUCCH resources. This localized application provides precise control where needed while avoiding unnecessary signaling overhead in cases where PUCCH is not configured, thus improving activation accuracy without universally increasing overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a method for a user equipment (UE). The UE obtains a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) secondary cell (SCell) activation command from a primary cell (PCell) or primary secondary-cell-group cell (PSCell). The PUCCH SCell activation command is used for an PUCCH SCell activation of a target PUCCH SCell for the UE. The UE performs PUCCH SCell activation operations associated with a valid timing advance (TA) and the PUCCH SCell activation command. TA is considered to be a valid TA when the TA meets a preset criterion. The UE generates a channel state information (CSI) report for transmission to at least one of the PCell, PSCell and the target PUCCH SCell. The CSI report indicates that the PUCCH SCell activation is completed.