Secondary Cell Activation Using Temporary Reference Signals
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for activating a secondary cell in carrier aggregation wireless communication systems face delays due to the sparse transmission of synchronization signal blocks (SSBs), which can result in suboptimal performance and user experience, especially in high-path loss scenarios where beam search is required for identifying optimal transmit-receive beams.
Innovation Solution
The use of temporary reference signals (TRS) and temporary RS bursts, which are transmitted more frequently than SSBs, allows for faster cell activation by enabling automatic gain control and fine tracking during cell activation, reducing the delay associated with activating a secondary cell by providing beam information to the user equipment (UE) for quicker beam selection and communication setup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) are transmitted sparsely to reduce overhead, then system overhead is reduced, but secondary cell activation delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces temporary reference signals (TRS) that are transmitted before the actual secondary cell activation occurs. These TRS signals are sent in advance during a activation period to enable the UE to perform measurements and prepare for activation, thereby reducing the activation delay without requiring sparse SSB transmissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses temporary reference signals (TRS) as an intermediary between the sparse SSB transmissions and the actual cell activation. These TRS signals serve as a bridge that provides the necessary measurement opportunities for UE without requiring frequent SSB transmissions, thus reducing overhead while enabling faster activation.
2Loss of time
If synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) are transmitted frequently to reduce activation delay, then secondary cell activation delay is reduced, but system overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transmits temporary reference signals (TRS) in advance during a configured activation period before the actual secondary cell activation. This preliminary action provides UE with measurement opportunities without requiring frequent SSB transmissions during the activation process itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs temporary reference signals (TRS) that are transmitted only during the activation period and then discarded. These TRS are short-lived, temporary signals that serve their purpose during activation and are not maintained continuously, reducing overall overhead compared to frequent SSB transmissions.
3Reliability
If beam search is performed to identify optimal transmit-receive beams in high-path loss scenarios, then communication reliability is improved, but activation delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs beam measurement and identification in advance during the activation period using temporary reference signals (TRS) before actual data transmission begins. The UE measures TRS from different beams and identifies optimal beams beforehand, so that when activation occurs, the reliable beam pair is already known and can be used immediately.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the UE to autonomously perform measurements on temporary reference signals (TRS) and self-determine the optimal beam without requiring extensive beam search procedures during activation. The UE uses the TRS to self-identify the best beam for communication, reducing the time needed for reliable beam establishment.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and devices for secondary cell activation using temporary reference signals and beam selection are provided. In one aspect, a method of wireless communication is performed by a UE and includes receiving, from a base station (BS) via a first cell, an activation command to activate a second cell different from the first cell. The method further includes receiving, from the BS via the second cell during a cell activation period, a first reference signal different from a synchronization signal block (SSB) based on beam information. The method further includes performing a first measurement of the first reference signal, and operating in the second cell based on the first measurement.