Terminal Secondary Cell Activation Delay Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, the delay associated with secondary cell activation is increased due to the need to receive SSBs, and a specific method for triggering a temporary RS to reduce this delay has not been specified.

Innovation Solution

A terminal is configured to receive an indication of secondary cell activation or deactivation and a trigger indication for a temporary RS via a single MAC-CE, allowing synchronization and measurement using the temporary RS, and transmitting a CSI report based on the measurement result.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If SSBs are used for secondary cell activation, then reliable synchronization and measurement can be achieved, but activation delay increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynchronization reliabilityVSAvoidactivation delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the terminal with SSB indication information before secondary cell activation is needed. The terminal stores the indication information in advance, so when activation is required, it can immediately use the pre-stored SSB information for synchronization and measurement, eliminating the need to wait for real-time SSB transmission and thereby reducing activation delay while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism by using MAC-CE (Medium Access Control-Control Element) signaling as a mediator between the base station and terminal. The MAC-CE carries activation indications and SSB indication information, enabling the terminal to receive activation commands and associated SSB information through a controlled signaling channel, which coordinates the activation process and reduces delays

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If temporary RS triggering method is not specified, then implementation flexibility is maintained, but activation delay cannot be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplementation flexibilityVSAvoidactivation delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the activation process parameters to include explicit temporary RS triggering indications within the MAC-CE signaling. Instead of using conventional SSB-based activation, the system changes the activation parameters to enable terminal to receive and process temporary RS triggering information, which allows for reduced activation delay while maintaining implementation flexibility through configurable parameters

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20240195566A1Terminal and communication method

Publication Date: 2024.06.13 NTT DOCOMO INC

AI summary

A terminal includes: a reception unit configured to receive, from a base station, an indication of activation or deactivation of a secondary cell and a trigger indication of a temporary RS (Reference Signal) via a single MAC-CE (Medium Access Control-Control Element); a control unit configured to perform synchronization and measurement in the secondary cell by using the temporary RS, based on the trigger indication in a case where the indication is for activating the secondary cell; and a transmission unit configured to transmit, to the base station, a CSI (Channel State Information) report based on a measurement result of the temporary RS.