Terminal Capability Reporting for 5G Band Combination Queries

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

5G networks face challenges in accurately determining terminal device support for frequency band combinations due to the cumbersome nature of frequency band capabilities, leading to incorrect cell addition or exclusion in standalone access (NSA) scenarios.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for terminal capability reporting and processing that involves sending capability query instructions to determine frequency band sets, using identification information to identify surplus capabilities, and performing targeted queries or configurations to ensure accurate determination and addition of communication cells.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the terminal device reports all supported frequency band combinations, then the network device can accurately determine terminal support, but the reporting mechanism becomes too complex and exceeds current protocol limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of frequency band combination determinationVSAvoidcapability reporting mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the frequency band capability reporting into two parts: a first capability set reported according to existing protocol limitations, and a second capability set containing additional frequency band combinations. This segmentation allows the terminal to report comprehensive capabilities while the network device uses identification information to distinguish between the two sets, resolving the contradiction between accurate determination and protocol complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces identification information as an intermediary element that indicates whether the terminal has a second capability set. This intermediary allows the network device to know when to perform further capability determination without requiring the terminal to report all combinations in a single complex message, thus reducing reporting mechanism complexity while maintaining determination accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the terminal device reports only a part of frequency band combinations due to protocol limitations, then the reporting mechanism remains simple, but the network device cannot accurately determine terminal support for all combinations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability reporting mechanism complexityVSAvoidaccuracy of frequency band combination determination

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the terminal device report a first capability set that includes some frequency band combinations according to existing protocol limitations. This preliminary reporting maintains simple mechanism complexity while the network device uses identification information to trigger further capability determination for the second capability set, thereby achieving accurate determination without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The identification information acts as feedback to the network device, indicating whether the terminal has additional capability sets beyond what is reported in the first capability set. This feedback mechanism allows the network device to accurately determine terminal support by knowing when to perform additional capability checks, resolving the accuracy issue without complicating the overall reporting structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the network device performs comprehensive capability verification, then accurate cell addition is achieved, but the registration time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of cell additionVSAvoidterminal registration time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by having the network device perform capability verification selectively based on the identification information. When the identification information indicates the terminal has a second capability set, the network device performs additional verification; otherwise, it proceeds with the reported capabilities. This selective verification achieves accurate cell addition while minimizing unnecessary verification steps that would increase registration time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS20260025839A1Terminal capability reporting method, terminal capability processing method, terminal device, network device, and medium

Publication Date: 2026.01.22 ZTE CORP

AI summary

Provided are a terminal capability reporting method, a terminal capability processing method, a terminal device, a network device, and a storage medium. The terminal capability processing method comprises: sending a capability query instruction to a terminal device, so that the terminal device generates terminal capability information according to the capability query instruction, wherein the terminal capability information comprises a frequency band capability set and identification information, and the identification information is used for indicating whether the terminal device has a surplus frequency band capability set; and receiving the terminal capability information, and when detecting that the frequency band capability set does not comprise a target frequency band combination, performing target frequency band query or target frequency band configuration on the terminal device according to the identification information, to determine whether the terminal device supports the target frequency band combination which comprises target frequency band information of first and second network.