SCG Activation Mode Control for 5G Power Saving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication systems in 5G networks face challenges in efficiently managing the activation and deactivation of Secondary Cell Groups (SCGs) in Multi-Radio Dual Connectivity (MR-DC) configurations, leading to increased power consumption and delayed signaling due to the lack of power saving options for Primary SCells, which affects network energy efficiency and user equipment battery life.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where the user equipment (UE) receives a request from the master node to configure the SCG with an indication of its operation mode, allowing for the determination of whether to perform random access or delay it based on the mode of operation, enabling activated or deactivated SCG scenarios, thereby standardizing SCG deactivation processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the SCG is activated to provide additional radio resources and improve data rates, then network throughput and connectivity are improved, but power consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic activation and deactivation of the SCG based on real-time network conditions and traffic requirements. The SCG can be activated when additional radio resources are needed to improve throughput, and deactivated when such resources are not required, thereby optimizing the balance between network productivity and UE power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational state parameter of the SCG between activated and deactivated modes. By controlling this parameter, the system can switch between high-throughput mode (activated) and low-power mode (deactivated), resolving the contradiction between network productivity and energy consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the SCG is deactivated to save power and extend battery life, then energy efficiency is improved, but signaling delays occur and activation response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary configuration of the SCG including pre-configuring random access resources and maintaining the SCG in a suspended state with preserved configuration. This preliminary action allows the SCG to be quickly activated when needed without requiring full reconfiguration, thereby reducing signaling delays while maintaining power savings during deactivated periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent cushions against potential activation delays by maintaining the SCG configuration in memory during suspended state and pre-allocating random access resources. This beforehand preparation ensures that when activation is required, the UE can quickly resume SCG operations without experiencing significant signaling delays.
3Reliability
If the SCG is activated with full random access procedure to ensure reliable connection establishment, then connection reliability is improved, but activation time and signaling overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial random access procedure when activating a suspended SCG, rather than performing the complete random access procedure from scratch. Since the SCG configuration is already preserved in memory, only essential connection establishment steps are needed, reducing activation time and signaling overhead while maintaining sufficient connection reliability through the preserved configuration data.
Data Source
AI summary
A method performed by a user equipment, UE, includes receiving a request from a master node, MN, including a secondary cell group, SCG, configuration and a mode of operation of the SCG. The method includes determining the mode of operation of the SCG based on the indication of the mode of operation of the SCG. The method includes determining whether to perform random access or to delay performing random access based on the mode of operation of the SCG. UE apparatuses, computer programs, and computer program products are also provided.