TDD Inter-Band Carrier Aggregation DRX Timer Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in optimizing inter-band carrier aggregation in Time Division Duplex (TDD) mode, particularly in defining consecutive Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) subframes for discontinuous reception (DRX) timers, which can lead to reduced scheduling opportunities due to the consideration of deactivated Secondary Serving Cells' configurations.

Innovation Solution

The method involves connecting User Equipment (UE) with a Primary Serving Cell and configuring at least one Secondary Serving Cell, where the TDD uplink-downlink configurations of the Primary and Secondary Cells can differ. The method defines consecutive PDCCH subframes for DRX timers based on the activated serving cells' configurations, excluding deactivated cells, ensuring proper scheduling opportunities by considering only the activated cells' TDD UL-DL configurations for drx-InactivityTimer and drx-RetransmissionTimer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the TDD UL-DL configuration of deactivated SCells is considered for defining consecutive PDCCH subframes, then the DRX timer definition becomes more comprehensive, but the scheduling opportunities are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveDRX timer definition comprehensivenessVSAvoidscheduling opportunities
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the TDD UL-DL configuration consideration from deactivated SCells, removing them from the calculation of consecutive PDCCH subframes for DRX timers. This extraction resolves the contradiction by ensuring that only activated cells contribute to DRX timer definition, thereby maintaining scheduling opportunities while preserving comprehensive DRX timer definition for active carriers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating the treatment of activated versus deactivated SCells. Activated cells are included in the consecutive PDCCH subframe calculation, while deactivated cells are excluded. This localized differentiation ensures that DRX timer definition reflects only the actual active scheduling opportunities, resolving the contradiction between comprehensiveness and scheduling efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Area of stationary object

If all configured cells are considered for PDCCH monitoring, then the coverage is maximized, but the scheduling efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePDCCH monitoring coverageVSAvoidscheduling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic consideration based on cell activation status. The set of cells considered for PDCCH monitoring and DRX timer definition is dynamically adjusted according to whether cells are activated or deactivated. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction by adapting the monitoring scope to actual operational needs, maximizing coverage for active cells while maintaining scheduling efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2528405B1Method and apparatus to improve inter-band carrier aggregation in TDD Time Division Duplex mode
Publication Date: 2017.08.02 INNOVATIVE SONIC CORPORATION
  • EP2528405B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2528405B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2528405B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and apparatus are disclosed to improve inter-band carrier aggregation (CA) in a UE (User Equipment) in TDD (Time Division Duplex) mode. In one embodiment, the method includes connecting the UE with a PCell (Primary Serving Cell). The method further includes configuring the UE with at least one SCell (Secondary Serving Cell), among which at least one SCell is deactivated, wherein TDD UL-DL (Uplink-Downlink) configurations of the PCell and the at least one SCell may be different. The method also includes taking a TDD UL-DL configuration of an activated serving cell into consideration for defining consecutive PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel) subframes of a drx-InactivityTimer, and not taking a TDD UL-DL configuration of a deactivated serving cell into consideration.