Separate FDD and TDD Feature Group Indicators

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems, particularly in LTE, do not efficiently manage feature group indicators (FGIs) to differentiate between frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD) modes, leading to unnecessary restrictions in feature support and potential delays in feature availability in one mode due to requirements for support in both modes.

Innovation Solution

Defining separate FDD-specific and TDD-specific FGIs sets allows user equipment (UE) to independently signal supported features for each mode, enabling earlier availability of features in one mode without requiring support in the other mode, and includes procedures for detach and re-attach operations when switching modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a single unified FGI set is used for both FDD and TDD modes, then device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but feature support is restricted and feature availability is delayed in one mode due to requirements for support in both modes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidfeature support
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the unified FGI set into separate FDD-specific FGI set and TDD-specific FGI set. This segmentation allows independent feature indication for each duplexing mode, enabling a UE to indicate support for features in one mode without being constrained by feature requirements in the other mode, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by allowing different FGI sets to have different feature configurations tailored to specific duplexing modes. Each FGI set can independently indicate support for mode-specific features, enabling optimized feature support for FDD and TDD operations without requiring uniform feature support across both modes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate FDD-specific and TDD-specific FGI sets are defined, then feature support and adaptability are improved, but device complexity and signaling overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeature supportVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic FGI set selection where the UE determines which FGI set to use based on the current operating mode (FDD or TDD). This dynamic adaptation allows the system to use separate FGI sets for enhanced feature support while maintaining manageable complexity through mode-based selection logic rather than requiring simultaneous management of all features across all modes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If mode switching is allowed between FDD and TDD, then adaptability is improved, but unintended mode transitions occur causing system instability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemode flexibilityVSAvoidmode stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the UE monitors its operating mode and provides mode information through FGI signaling. The network uses this feedback to maintain consistent mode expectations, preventing unintended mode transitions by ensuring both UE and network are aware of and agree on the current operating mode, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2681867B1Methods and apparatus for employing different capabilities for different duplexing modes
Publication Date: 2019.03.20 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP2681867B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2681867B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2681867B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Certain aspects of the present disclosure propose techniques for independently signaling features supported by a user equipment (UE) in different duplexing modes. The UE may be capable of communicating in frequency division duplexing (FDD) and time division duplexing (TDD) modes. The UE may obtain a FDD-specific feature group indicators (FGIs) set and a TDD-specific FGIs set, and signal at least one of the FDD-specific FGIs set or TDD-specific FGIs set. In addition, the UE may take one or more actions to reduce the likelihood of transitioning to a mode of operation that is different from its current mode of operation.