UE Capability Exchange via Segmented Reporting and Indexing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing UE capability exchange procedures in wireless communication networks are inefficient due to the large size of UE capability information messages, leading to increased network loading, longer transmission times, and higher failure rates during LTE or 5G attach procedures, especially with the addition of features like MIMO and carrier aggregation.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where a UE reports a basic capability set and uses identifiers to index more extensive capabilities, allowing the network to determine supported features and band combinations using a capability database, thereby reducing message size and enhancing the efficiency of UE capability exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UE sends complete capability information including all band combinations and features, then the network obtains comprehensive UE capabilities, but the message size increases leading to increased network loading and longer transmission times
Solution Approach 1:
The UE capability information is segmented into two parts: a compact first part containing essential capability data (band combinations, MIMO capabilities, carrier aggregation support) and a second part containing detailed capability information. The network receives the first part immediately for attachment procedures, while the second part can be transmitted separately or referenced through identifiers, thus reducing the initial message size while preserving complete capability information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension to capability information representation by using identifiers (indexes) that reference pre-defined capability sets. Instead of transmitting all capability details directly, the UE sends compact identifiers that point to comprehensive capability descriptions stored in the network or accessible through standardization, effectively compressing the information along a new dimension of reference rather than direct representation.
2Reliability
If the UE transmits detailed capability information, then the network can make accurate resource allocation decisions, but the transmission time increases affecting attach procedure performance
Solution Approach 1:
The UE prepares and transmits the first part of capability information containing critical attachment-related capabilities in advance during the attach procedure. The network can immediately use this information for resource allocation and connection setup. Detailed capability information in the second part can be transmitted later or referenced through identifiers, ensuring that time-critical operations are not delayed by large message transmission.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the UE sends comprehensive capability messages, then all network features are properly supported, but the failure rate of attach procedures increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting capability information into essential (first part) and detailed (second part) components, the patent ensures that critical attachment-related capabilities are reliably transmitted in a compact format. This segmentation prevents attach procedure failures caused by overly large messages while maintaining full feature support capability through the second part, which can be transmitted under more favorable conditions or referenced via identifiers.
4Productivity
If the UE transmits full capability information, then the network loading is reduced for future queries, but the initial uplink transmission consumes more UE power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by transmitting only the essential first part of capability information during the attach procedure, which is sufficient for immediate network operations. The detailed second part can be transmitted partially or on-demand based on network requirements, avoiding the excessive power consumption of transmitting all capability information in full during the power-sensitive attach phase, while still enabling efficient network processing for critical functions.
Data Source
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AI summary
Capability exchange enhancements include filtering and/or indexing. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) determines UE capabilities to be reported to a network based on one or more of: one or more enquiries from the network, received system information, a home operator policy, configuration associated with public land mobile network (PLMN) information of one or more networks, a user preference, or a service type.