Temporary Reference Signals for Low-Latency SCell Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing secondary cell activation and deactivation, leading to power drain and latency in data transmission due to inefficient SCell radio link maintenance.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) that triggers both SCell activation and temporary aperiodic reference signals, such as tracking reference signals (TRS) and CSI-RS, to facilitate fast SCell activation and deactivation, reducing power consumption and latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the network configures a UE with multiple serving cells including SCells to increase data rate, then the downlink and uplink data rate is improved, but the UE experiences power drain due to maintaining SCell radio link
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic SCell activation and deactivation based on traffic conditions. The network can activate SCells when high data rate is needed and deactivate them when traffic demand is low, allowing the system to adapt its resource allocation dynamically. This resolves the contradiction by making the SCell configuration flexible rather than static, enabling the UE to maintain high data rate capability only when necessary, thus reducing power consumption during low-traffic periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational state parameter of SCells between activated and deactivated states. By controlling the activation state of SCells based on traffic conditions, the system can switch between high performance mode (multiple active SCells) and power-saving mode (fewer active SCells), effectively managing the trade-off between data rate and power consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the network implements fast SCell activation and deactivation to balance performance and power cost, then the power consumption is reduced, but the activation time and latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring SCell parameters and maintaining radio link connections in a dormant state before actual activation is needed. When fast activation is required, the UE already has the necessary configuration information and connection context prepared, eliminating the need for lengthy setup procedures during activation. This allows the SCell to be activated quickly with minimal latency while still maintaining power-saving benefits when deactivated.
3Speed
If the UE maintains SCell radio link to enable fast activation, then the activation speed is improved, but the power drain increases due to continuous maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by maintaining SCell radio links only during specific periods when needed, rather than continuously. The network can periodically reactivate SCells based on traffic patterns, and the UE can periodically update its configuration. This periodic maintenance approach allows the system to achieve fast activation when SCells are needed while avoiding the continuous power drain of maintaining always-active connections.
Data Source
AI summary
A user equipment (UE) configured to receive secondary cell (SCell) activation configuration information from a first cell, receive a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) from the first cell, wherein the MAC CE indicates that a SCell state is to be changed from a deactivated state to an activated state and receive aperiodic reference signals from a secondary cell (SCell), wherein the reception of the aperiodic reference signals is triggered by the MAC CE.