Radio Network Node SCell Selection Using Stored Cell Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for selecting secondary serving cells (SCells) in wireless communications networks are inefficient, often resulting in unsuitable cell selection, leading to increased time and signaling requirements, which negatively impact device performance and network capacity.

Innovation Solution

A method where a radio network node selects a second SCell based on previously used cells in a carrier aggregation configuration, minimizing the risk of unsuitable cell selection by leveraging knowledge of previously used cells when the primary cell (PCell) reconnects, thus reducing the need for reconfiguration and extra signaling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a radio network node randomly selects an SCell or performs measurements to find a suitable SCell, then the cell selection process can be completed, but the time required to configure and activate carrier aggregation increases and the probability of selecting a suitable SCell decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprobability of selecting suitable SCellVSAvoidtime to configure and activate carrier aggregation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The network node stores information about previously used cells and their configurations in advance. When the wireless device reconnects, this pre-stored information is immediately available for selecting the second SCell, eliminating the need for random selection or time-consuming measurements. This preliminary preparation of cell information directly reduces the time required while increasing the probability of selecting a suitable SCell.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If existing methods are used for selecting SCells, then the cell selection process is simple, but the device performance and network capacity are negatively impacted due to increased time and signaling requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork capacityVSAvoidtime and signaling requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Cell information including configuration details is stored in advance in the network node. When carrier aggregation needs to be reconfigured, this pre-stored information enables rapid SCell selection without requiring new measurements or extensive signaling, thereby reducing time losses and improving overall network productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The network node reuses previously stored cell information and configurations for the second SCell selection. Instead of creating new cell configurations from scratch or performing new measurements, the system copies and adapts existing cell information, significantly reducing the time and signaling requirements while maintaining network capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If measurements are performed to find a suitable SCell, then the selection accuracy improves, but the time required and signaling overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveselection accuracyVSAvoidtime required for measurements
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Cell information is measured, evaluated, and stored in advance before it is needed for SCell selection. This preliminary action ensures that accurate cell information is already available when the wireless device reconnects, providing high selection accuracy without requiring time-consuming measurements at the moment of reconnection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of performing new measurements, the network node copies previously stored cell information that was obtained through earlier measurements. This copying approach maintains measurement precision while eliminating the time loss associated with repeating measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3117550B1Network node, radio network node, and methods for selecting a second secondary cell of a wireless device
Publication Date: 2019.09.11 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3117550B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3117550B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3117550B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method in a radio network node for selecting a second SCellof a wireless device. The radio network node sends(201) data to a network node, upon a request to release the wireless device from a first connected state,in which the wireless device is connected to a first PCelland configured with a first SCell. The data indicates the first PCelland the first SCell. The radio network noderetrieves(202) the sent data when the wireless device entersa second connected state. Then, thewireless device is connectedto a second PCell.The radio network nodecompares(203) the second PCellwith the first PCelland thefirst SCell. When the second PCellis the same as one of the first PCelland the first SCell, the radio network nodeselects(204) as the second SCellthe other of the first SCell and the first PCell.