Secondary Cell Activation via MAC CE for Faster Mobility Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for activating and deactivating secondary cells in wireless communication networks result in longer delays, greater overhead, and longer interruption durations during mobility changes, particularly in L1/L2 signaling scenarios, leading to inefficient data transmission.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for cell activation/deactivation using MAC Control Elements (MAC CE) that include candidate cell configurations, allowing for rapid determination of activation/deactivation states based on cell change commands, MAC CEs, RRC signaling, and deactivation timers, enabling efficient data transmission post-mobility changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If full L1/L2 resetting is performed for serving cell change via L3 measurement and RRC signaling, then the serving cell change can be completed, but the delay increases, overhead increases, and interruption duration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the mobility management process into L1/L2 rapid switching for secondary cells and PSCells, while L3/RRC management handles primary cells. This segmentation allows faster cell changes for non-critical cells without compromising overall connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic cell state management where cells can be rapidly activated or deactivated based on mobility requirements. The MAC entity dynamically adjusts cell activation states during mobility events, enabling fast switching without full resetting.
2Reliability
If full L1/L2 resetting is performed for serving cell change, then the serving cell change can be completed, but the overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cell management overhead into segments: L1/L2 handles rapid cell activation/deactivation with minimal signaling, while L3/RRC handles reconfiguration only when necessary. This reduces overall signaling overhead by avoiding redundant full resets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial resetting by only resetting L1/L2 parameters for specific cells (SCells, PSCells) during mobility, rather than performing excessive full L1/L2 resetting for all cells. This partial action reduces overhead while maintaining reliability.
3Reliability
If full L1/L2 resetting is performed for serving cell change, then the serving cell change can be completed, but the interruption duration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary cell configuration and maintains cell contexts in advance during mobility. The MAC entity prepares target cell configurations before actual switching, reducing interruption duration when the cell change is executed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables dynamic cell activation during mobility events, where the MAC entity can rapidly activate target cells without waiting for full L1/L2 reset completion. This dynamic approach minimizes interruption duration while ensuring reliable connection establishment.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for cell activation or deactivation, configured in a terminal equipment, includes: a receiver configured to receive a cell switch command including an information indicating an index of candidate configuration transmitted by a network device; and processor circuitry configured to activate or deactivate a cell in a first cell group comprising a target cell according to conditions related to cell activation or deactivation, the target cell corresponding to a target configuration indicated by the information indicating the index of candidate configuration included in the cell switch command.