Signaling Carrier Aggregation Capability in Wireless Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing framework for signaling carrier aggregation capability in wireless communication devices is inefficient, leading to excessive signaling overhead and an incomplete representation of the user equipment's capability, as it does not accurately reflect the maximum aggregated bandwidth and component carrier configurations.
Innovation Solution
The user equipment is enabled to directly indicate its maximum aggregated bandwidth capability to the base station, allowing for more precise signaling of its capabilities, including the maximum bandwidth for each component carrier, and the number of component carriers that can support a maximum component carrier bandwidth, using new information elements or existing 3GPP standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the existing framework for signaling carrier aggregation capability is used, then the signaling process is simple, but the signaling overhead is excessive and the capability representation is incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces new information elements (IEs) to signal carrier aggregation capability, changing the parameter structure from the existing framework. Specifically, it defines new IEs such as 'maxAggregatedBW' (maximum aggregated bandwidth) and 'maxNumCC' (maximum number of component carriers), along with bandCombCA-FeatureSet IE to indicate supported band combinations. This parameter change enables complete and accurate representation of UE carrier aggregation capability while maintaining signaling efficiency.
2Measurement precision
If the existing framework is used, then the signaling structure is maintained, but the signaling overhead increases and accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the carrier aggregation capability signaling into multiple dedicated information elements, each serving a specific function. The capability is divided into: (1) maxAggregatedBW IE for maximum aggregated bandwidth, (2) maxNumCC IE for maximum number of component carriers, (3) bandCombCA-FeatureSet IE for band combination support, and (4) componentCarrierBandwidth IE for per-carrier bandwidth. This segmentation provides precise capability indication while optimizing signaling overhead by avoiding redundant information.
3Reliability
If new information elements are introduced to accurately signal capability, then capability representation improves, but signaling complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the UE indicate its maximum carrier aggregation capability (maxAggregatedBW and maxNumCC) in advance during initial capability signaling. The base station then uses this pre-provided information to appropriately allocate component carriers and configure carrier aggregation parameters. This preliminary indication eliminates the need for complex ongoing negotiations and adjustments, thereby improving reliability while actually reducing overall signaling complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
User equipment indicates its maximum aggregated bandwidth capability to a base station. The user equipment may also indicate a maximum bandwidth capability for each component carrier. Additionally or alternatively, the base station may assume that the maximum aggregated bandwidth capability is also supported by the user equipment for lower order carrier aggregation bandwidth classes having aggregated bandwidth upper limits greater than or equal to the maximum aggregated bandwidth capability. Further, the user equipment may indicate a maximum number of components carriers capable of supporting a maximum components carrier bandwidth. The user equipment may indicate the maximum aggregated bandwidth capability via a new signaling capability added to a standard (e.g., the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standard), or via existing signaling provided by the 3GPP standard, such as by using a frequency separation class signal.