SCell State Transition Control for Fast Activation and Lower UE Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems with carrier aggregation (CA) features lack efficient mechanisms for controlling transitions between new and legacy operating states of secondary cells (SCells), leading to suboptimal power consumption and performance in user equipment (UEs).
Innovation Solution
Implementing enhanced medium access control (MAC) control elements (CEs) to manage state transitions of secondary cells, including fast activation/deactivation states, using two-octet and eight-octet formats, and logical channel identifiers (LCIDs) to optimize power consumption and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If SCells are activated to improve communication performance, then user equipment performance is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic state transitions for SCells between deactivated, activated, and fast activation states based on communication needs. The network can control these transitions using MAC CEs with different LCID values, allowing the system to adapt the SCell operational state to current traffic conditions, thereby optimizing the trade-off between communication performance and power consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If legacy SCell activation/deactivation mechanisms are used to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but transition speed and responsiveness are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a fast activation state that serves as a preliminary intermediate state between deactivated and activated states. When fast activation is detected via specific MAC CE LCID values, the SCell transitions directly to the fast activation state, preparing the cell for immediate data transmission without completing the full activation procedure, thus enabling faster response to traffic demands.
Solution Approach 2:
The fast activation state acts as an intermediary state between deactivated and activated states. This intermediate state allows the SCell to be quickly prepared for data transmission while maintaining power efficiency, serving as a mediator that resolves the contradiction between fast transition and power consumption by providing a middle ground that satisfies both requirements.
3Measurement precision
If multiple MAC CE formats are used to control state transitions, then control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a universal MAC CE structure that can serve multiple functions by varying the LCID value. The same MAC CE format with different LCID values can indicate transitions to deactivated state, activated state, or fast activation state, eliminating the need for multiple distinct MAC CE formats and reducing processing complexity while maintaining precise control over state transitions.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure relate to a method of operating a user equipment (UE) for wireless communication with a network. In some aspects, the UE obtains a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) from a network. The MAC CE may be configured to indicate any one of a plurality of state transition actions for a secondary cell. The UE transitions to a secondary cell dormant state when a state transition action indicated by the MAC CE includes a transition to the secondary cell dormant state. The UE operates in the secondary cell dormant state.