SCG Activation During Mobility for Power Saving

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems in dual connectivity configurations face challenges in power saving, particularly with the Secondary Cell Group (SCG) being unable to fully benefit from dormancy or deactivated states, leading to increased power consumption and delayed SCG activation/deactivation due to significant RRC signaling and inter-node messaging.

Innovation Solution

The method allows for MCG and SCG mobility while the SCG is in a power saving state, enabling the UE to determine and apply an SCG state for power saving as either activated or deactivated, and network nodes can determine the SCG state based on mobility procedures, facilitating efficient power management without requiring support for the SCG deactivated state at target nodes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the SCG is kept in deactivated state to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but mobility procedures cannot be performed seamlessly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidmobility procedure reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The network node determines the SCG state for power saving in advance, before the mobility procedure is executed. By pre-determining whether the SCG should be activated or deactivated based on upcoming mobility needs, the system can prepare the appropriate state beforehand, ensuring both power efficiency and seamless mobility execution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the SCG is activated for mobility procedures, then mobility reliability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobility procedure reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The SCG state is made dynamic rather than static. The system transitions between activated and deactivated states based on real-time mobility procedure requirements. The UE and network node can determine and switch the SCG state as needed, allowing the system to optimize power consumption by deactivating the SCG when mobility is not required while maintaining reliability when mobility procedures are executed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If RRC signaling is used to activate/deactivate SCG, then SCG state control is achieved, but signaling overhead and delays increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSCG state controlVSAvoidactivation/deactivation delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the SCG state determination function from the complex RRC signaling process. By allowing the UE and network node to determine the SCG state independently through measurement reports and internal logic, the system removes the need for extensive back-and-forth RRC signaling, thereby reducing both signaling overhead and activation/deactivation delays while maintaining proper SCG state control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS20230403646A1SCG activation during mobility

Publication Date: 2023.12.14 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

A method, performed by a communication device operating in dual connectivity with a master cell group, MCG, and a secondary cell group, SCG, of a wireless communication network includes receiving a message from a network node of the wireless communication network, the message including an instruction to perform a mobility procedure concerning at least one of the MCG or the SCG, determining an SCG state for power saving for the communication device, executing the mobility procedure according to the instruction and the SCG state, and applying the determined SCG state following execution of the mobility procedure.