SCG Activation via MAC CE in Dual Connectivity Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing MAC CE design in dual connectivity scenarios is inflexible, preventing the activation of a secondary cell group (SCG) when it is deactivated, as the terminal cannot receive activation indications due to stopping PDCCH monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that enable a first node to send a MAC CE to a terminal to activate or deactivate cells in a cell group managed by a second node, enhancing flexibility and allowing the master node to manage the SCG even when it is deactivated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the terminal stops monitoring PDCCH when SCG is deactivated to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but the terminal cannot receive MAC CE activation indications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the PCell as an intermediary carrier that remains active and continues PDCCH monitoring even when the SCG is deactivated. The PCell acts as a mediator that can receive and forward activation indications for the SCG, allowing the terminal to receive control information without continuously monitoring all PDCCH channels, thus reducing power consumption while maintaining the ability to receive activation indications.
2Device complexity
If the MAC CE is designed to activate/deactivate only cells in the same node's cell group, then the MAC CE design is simple, but the flexibility is insufficient for cross-node management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances the MAC CE to serve multiple functions: it can activate or deactivate not only cells in the same node's cell group but also cells in another node's cell group (e.g., activating SCG cells via PCell). This multi-functionality allows a single MAC CE design to handle both traditional same-node cell management and cross-node cell management, improving flexibility without significantly increasing design complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
This application provides a configuration method and an apparatus, and relates to the field of communications technologies, so that in a scenario in which an SCG is deactivated, a network side can activate the SCG or a cell in the SCG by using a MAC CE. The method includes: A terminal receives a MAC CE from a first node, where the MAC CE is for activating or deactivating one or more cells in a cell group managed by a second node; and then the terminal activates or deactivates, based on the MAC CE, the one or more cells in the cell group managed by the second node.