Restarting Secondary Component Carrier Timer via MAC Control Element

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, particularly in Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Networks (E-UTRAN), the current methods for restarting a Secondary Component Carrier (SCC) deactivation timer are inefficient, leading to unnecessary PDCCH signaling and resource waste when multiple SCCs are kept activated without ongoing traffic, as they require frequent PDCCH scheduling to avoid timer expiry.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that utilize Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Elements (CE) for CC Management to activate and restart the deactivation timer of a Secondary CC, allowing the timer to be restarted without relying solely on PDCCH scheduling, thereby reducing unnecessary signaling and resource waste.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If PDCCH scheduling is used to restart the SCC deactivation timer, then the timer can be restarted to keep the SCC activated, but unnecessary PDCCH signaling and resource waste occur when multiple SCCs are kept activated without ongoing traffic

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSCC activation statusVSAvoidPDCCH resource waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the timer restart function from the PDCCH scheduling mechanism and implements it through a dedicated MAC CE for CC Management. This separation allows the SCC to be kept activated through MAC layer signaling rather than requiring continuous PDCCH scheduling, thereby reducing PDCCH resource consumption while maintaining reliable SCC activation status.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Duration of action of stationary object

If frequent PDCCH signaling is used to restart the deactivation timer, then the SCC can remain activated, but network efficiency decreases due to increased signaling overhead

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSCC activation durationVSAvoidnetwork efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The MAC CE for CC Management is designed to serve multiple functions: it can activate/deactivate SCCs and simultaneously restart the deactivation timer. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate PDCCH signaling specifically for timer restart, thereby maintaining SCC activation duration while improving overall network efficiency by reducing signaling overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If PDCCH scheduling is relied upon to restart the timer, then timer expiry can be avoided, but synchronization complexity increases between UE and eNB

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetimer synchronizationVSAvoidsynchronization complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a MAC CE for CC Management as an intermediary mechanism that handles both SCC activation/deactivation and timer restart functions. This intermediary simplifies the synchronization process by providing a unified signaling mechanism that simultaneously manages activation state and timer status, reducing the complexity of coordinating between UE and eNB compared to separate PDCCH-based approaches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2383927B1Method and apparatus for restarting a component carrier timer in a wireless communication system

Publication Date: 2017.12.27 INNOVATIVE SONIC CORPORATION

Figure 1~3
Figure 4
Figure 5

AI summary

A method for a Component Carrier (CC) deactivation timer in a wireless communication system includes receiving a first Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) for CC Management to activate a first Secondary CC (SCC) that has been already activated by using a second MAC CE for CC Management. The method then includes restarting a deactivation timer for the first SCC based upon the first MAC CE for CC Management.