SRS Carrier Switching Delay Extension for Uplink

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Solution Overview

Problem

SRS carrier-based switching in LTE networks can disrupt uplink transmissions, making it challenging for user equipment (UE) to maintain performance and meet reporting requirements due to interruptions and resource sharing constraints.

Innovation Solution

The UE adapts its SRS carrier switching configuration and associated transmissions by extending measurement reporting delays to allow for SRS switching procedures, ensuring that measurements are reported within the extended delay, thereby minimizing the impact of SRS switching on uplink response transmissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If SRS carrier-based switching is implemented to support more downlink component carriers, then the network can handle downlink heavy traffic more effectively, but uplink transmissions are disrupted and measurement reporting delays occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedownlink traffic handling capacityVSAvoiduplink transmission quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The network node provides advance notification to the UE about upcoming SRS switching events and their timing. This allows the UE to prepare for the switching in advance, knowing when to expect interruptions to uplink transmissions, thereby reducing the impact on uplink reliability while maintaining enhanced downlink capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If SRS switching procedure is performed to enable SRS transmission on TDD carriers, then channel reciprocity can be utilized, but uplink response transmissions are interrupted and cannot be transmitted on time

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSRS transmission flexibilityVSAvoidmeasurement reporting delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The network node provides advance notification to the UE about upcoming SRS switching events and their timing. This allows the UE to prepare for the switching in advance, knowing when to expect interruptions to uplink transmissions, thereby reducing the impact on uplink reliability while maintaining enhanced downlink capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement reporting delay is made dynamic and extendable based on SRS switching requirements. When SRS switching is performed, the measurement reporting delay can be extended beyond the standard timing requirements, allowing the UE to complete SRS switching procedures without missing critical uplink response transmissions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11165532B2Controlling the impact of SRS switching on uplink transmissions
Publication Date: 2021.11.02 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • US11165532B2 patent drawing
  • US11165532B2 patent drawing
  • US11165532B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Methods and related nodes are disclosed that can enable the control of the impact of SRS switching on uplink response transmissions. In some aspects, the method comprises determining a need to report measurements to a radio network node within a measurement reporting delay, determining a need to perform an SRS switching procedure, extending the measurement reporting delay associated with reporting the measurements to the radio network node in order to allow the UE to perform the SRS network node within a measurement reporting delay.