New Radio Secondary Cell Activation and Deactivation via MAC CE and BWP DCI

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, secondary cell activation and deactivation in new radio technologies suffer from high latency and increased power consumption due to inefficient signaling methods, which undermine the benefits of low-latency bandwidth part adaptation.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a combined approach of Medium Access Control (MAC) CE signaling and Bandwidth Part (BWP) DCI for secondary cell activation and deactivation, along with configuring dormant states to reduce latency and power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If traditional MAC CE signaling is used for secondary cell activation and deactivation, then power consumption is reduced, but latency increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactivation/deactivation latencyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines MAC CE signaling and BWP DCI into a unified control mechanism. The BWP DCI includes a secondary cell activation indicator that works together with MAC CE to control secondary cell state transitions, enabling low-latency activation while maintaining power efficiency through coordinated signaling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic BWP (Bandwidth Part) adaptation that can be activated or deactivated based on traffic conditions. The BWP DCI enables dynamic switching between different BWP configurations, allowing the system to adapt quickly to changing data throughput requirements while managing power consumption through intelligent state transitions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If secondary cell remains activated continuously, then data transmission capability is maintained, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic secondary cell activation where the cell transitions between active and deactivated states based on real-time traffic conditions. The BWP DCI enables quick reactivation when data transmission is needed, while the cell remains deactivated during low-activity periods to save power, thus balancing productivity and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback mechanisms to monitor data throughput requirements and traffic patterns. Based on this feedback, the network dynamically adjusts secondary cell activation decisions, activating the cell when high data transmission capability is needed and deactivating it when power saving is prioritized, creating a closed-loop control system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of time

If BWP adaptation is implemented without secondary cell coordination, then low-latency bandwidth change is achieved, but system consistency and reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth adaptation latencyVSAvoidsystem consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges BWP control and secondary cell activation control into a single coordinated mechanism. The BWP DCI includes indicators that simultaneously control both BWP switching and secondary cell activation state, ensuring that bandwidth adaptation and cell activation remain synchronized and consistent throughout the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms that monitor the state of secondary cells and BWP configurations. The network uses this feedback to ensure consistency between BWP adaptation and secondary cell activation decisions, adjusting control signals to maintain system reliability while achieving low-latency operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3701662B1Secondary cell activation and deactivation enhancements in new radio
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3701662B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3701662B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3701662B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. One method may include transmitting a first signal instructing a user equipment (UE) to transition a state of a secondary cell associated with the UE; determining an allocation of resources for the UE to communicate with the secondary cell; and transmitting a second signal including an indication of an active bandwidth part (BWP) used for the allocation of resources based on the determining. The active BWP and the first signal may indicate the transition of the state of the secondary cell.