Secondary Cell Activation Using UE Receiver Activity Rate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G wireless communication systems face challenges in timely load balancing due to long secondary cell (SCell) activation times, which increase UE power consumption and reduce battery life, especially in NR configurations where SCell activation times can be as high as 1.28-1.44 seconds.
Innovation Solution
The method involves adapting SCell activation procedures based on the user equipment's (UE) receiver activity rate, employing different activation procedures for reliable and unreliable gain states, including a fast activation procedure to reduce the time needed for determining a valid gain setting and optimizing SCell activation times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional SCell activation procedures are used in 5G NR systems, then the activation process is thorough and reliable, but the activation time becomes excessively long (1.28-1.44 seconds)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic activation procedures that adapt to the UE's receiver activity rate. When the activity rate indicates recent measurements (higher reliability), a fast activation procedure is used. When activity rate is low, a more thorough procedure is applied. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by adjusting the activation thoroughness based on real-time conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the activation procedure parameters based on the receiver activity rate threshold. The network configures different activation procedures (fast vs. traditional) and switches between them based on measured activity rates. This parameter change allows the system to achieve fast activation when conditions permit while maintaining reliability when needed.
2Reliability
If traditional SCell activation procedures are used, then activation is thorough, but UE power consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically selects activation procedures based on receiver activity rate. When activity rate is high (recent measurements available), fast activation is used which consumes less power. When activity rate is low, traditional activation ensures reliability. This dynamic approach resolves the energy-reliability contradiction by adapting to current system state.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the UE's own receiver activity rate measurements to determine the appropriate activation procedure. The UE self-evaluates its measurement state and the network configures accordingly, allowing the system to serve itself in optimizing the balance between power consumption and activation reliability without external intervention.
3Use of energy by moving object
If SCell activation time is reduced through fast procedures, then power consumption decreases, but activation reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the network monitors UE receiver activity rate and adjusts activation procedure configuration accordingly. The feedback loop ensures that fast activation is only used when recent measurements indicate sufficient reliability, while traditional procedures are used when reliability concerns arise. This feedback resolves the contradiction by continuously adapting to system conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary assessment of receiver activity rate before initiating SCell activation. Based on this preliminary information, the appropriate activation procedure is pre-selected. This preliminary action prevents unnecessary use of power-intensive traditional procedures when fast activation would suffice, while ensuring reliability when conditions warrant it.
4Speed
If receiver activity rate is monitored frequently to enable fast activation, then activation speed improves, but measurement overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement monitoring parameters based on activation needs. Rather than continuously monitoring at high frequency, the system adjusts measurement intervals and thresholds based on current activation requirements and historical activity patterns. This parameter adaptation reduces measurement overhead while maintaining the ability to enable fast activation when appropriate.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A
AI summary
Embodiments include methods and/or procedures for a user equipment, UE, to activate a secondary cell, SCell, for operating with the UE's primary serving cell, PSC. Embodiments include determining (710) a receiver activity rate for the UE. Embodiments also include receiving (730), from the PSC, an activation request identifying the SCell. Embodiments also include activating (735) the SCell based on the receiver activity rate. Other embodiments include complementary methods and/or procedures performed by a network node arranged to communicate with one or more UEs via a PSC and at least one selectively activated SCell. Other embodiments include UEs and network nodes configured to perform operations corresponding to various ones of the methods and/or procedures, as well as computer-readable media embodying such operations.