Reduced-Capability UE Handover Signaling for Legacy Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Legacy network devices incorrectly determine the capabilities of reduced capability UE, leading to improper bandwidth allocation and failure of reduced capability UE to function normally.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating identifier information and key-value indication in handover request messages to prevent reduced capability UE from being handed over to non-supporting network devices, and using system messages to indicate whether a cell allows reduced capability UE to camp or perform intra-frequency reselection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If legacy network devices use default bandwidth assumption (100 MHz) for all UEs, then network device complexity is reduced, but reduced capability UE cannot function normally due to incorrect capability determination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new indication field in the UE capability bitmap that acts as an intermediary signal between the UE and network device. This single-bit indicator (first indication information) mediates the communication by explicitly telling the network device whether the UE supports 100 MHz bandwidth, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining simple network device logic and ensuring accurate capability recognition for reduced capability UEs
2Adaptability or versatility
If network devices manually configure support for reduced capability UE, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional configuration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables reduced capability UEs to self-identify and self-configure their capabilities by automatically setting the first indication information bit in their capability bitmap. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual network configuration, allowing UEs to autonomously indicate their reduced capability status and ensuring network devices automatically adapt their behavior without increasing operational complexity
3Ease of operation
If reduced capability UE reports bandwidth using standard 10-bit bitmap, then ease of operation is maintained, but measurement precision is insufficient to distinguish reduced capability UEs from legacy UEs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the existing 10-bit capability bitmap parameter by adding a new first indication information bit at a predetermined position. This parameter change transforms the bitmap from an ambiguous 10-bit structure into a more precise 11-bit structure that explicitly indicates UE capability type, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining backward compatibility and ease of operation through a simple bit addition rather than complex protocol redesign
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of this application provide a communication method and a device. The communication method and the device may be used in the field of a communication technology that supports a reduced capability terminal device, for example, weak-capability UE or MTC UE. The method includes: A first network device determines that a type of a first terminal device is a first type. The first network device sends a handover request message. The handover request message includes first indication information. The first indication information includes identifier information of the first type. The first network device receives a handover acknowledgment message or a handover preparation failure message.