SCell Activation Indication via DCI for Low-Latency Carrier Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In carrier aggregation and dual connectivity scenarios, the high-level signaling used for activating/deactivating secondary cells (SCells) results in significant time delays and inefficient utilization of radio resources, leading to increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing downlink control information (DCI) in the physical layer to quickly activate or deactivate SCells, employing distinct formats, RNTIs, and grouping mechanisms to reduce signaling overhead and delay.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If high-level signaling is used to activate or deactivate secondary cells, then the control mechanism is simple and easy to implement, but the time delay is large and radio resource utilization is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional high-level signaling mechanism (MAC CE) with a physical layer signaling mechanism (DCI). This substitution moves the activation/deactivation control from the medium access control layer to the physical layer, enabling faster processing and reducing time delay while maintaining control simplicity through standardized DCI formats.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces DCI as an intermediary carrier to transmit activation/deactivation commands. By using DCI format 1_1 or 1_2 with a specific field (e.g., 'SCell activation/deactivation indication' field), the system efficiently conveys control information from the base station to the terminal, reducing processing time compared to traditional MAC CE signaling.
2Productivity
If multiple secondary cells are activated simultaneously to increase system bandwidth, then network capacity increases, but power consumption in terminals and networks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic activation and deactivation of secondary cells based on real-time network conditions and terminal capabilities. Through DCI signaling, the base station can rapidly activate or deactivate specific SCells, allowing the system to adaptively adjust the number of active carriers, thereby optimizing the balance between system bandwidth utilization and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational state parameter of secondary cells from static to dynamic control. By using DCI with activation/deactivation indication fields, the system can quickly modify the operational parameters of SCells, enabling flexible adjustment of bandwidth utilization and power consumption based on traffic demands and terminal battery status.
3Loss of time
If DCI format is extended to include SCell activation/deactivation indication, then activation speed increases and time delay reduces, but DCI structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing DCI formats (1-1 and 1-2) multi-functional by adding an activation/deactivation indication field to them. This field can serve multiple purposes: indicating SCell activation, deactivation, or both simultaneously. This universal approach avoids creating entirely new DCI formats, thereby reducing overall system complexity while achieving fast activation/deactivation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a compact indication field within the DCI structure that provides sufficient information for activation/deactivation control without over-complicating the DCI format. By using a focused, targeted approach rather than a comprehensive redesign of DCI, the patent achieves the necessary functionality with minimal added complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An activation indication method includes: sending, by a base station, downlink control information (DCI) to a terminal, wherein the DCI is used for indicating the terminal to activate and/or deactivate a secondary cell (SCell).