UE Capability Signaling With Extension Feature Lists for NR RAN

The patent segments feature sets into initial feature sets (supported by all nodes) and extension feature sets (supported by newer nodes). This segmentation allows selective transmission of only the extension portions when needed, reducing overall signaling overhead while maintaining extensibility. The BandCombinationList IE is divided into initial and extension parts, with extensions only transmitted when required by the network node's capability.

The patent implements a nested structure where extension feature sets are contained within the framework of initial feature sets. Extension Feature Sets are associated with Initial_feature_sets through association identifiers, creating a nested hierarchy. This allows the system to maintain backward compatibility while enabling extensions, as legacy nodes simply ignore the extension portions while newer nodes process both levels.

The patent segments capability information into mandatory initial feature sets and optional extension feature sets. Legacy nodes process only the initial feature sets and ignore extension portions, while newer nodes process both. This segmentation ensures that adding extensions never breaks backward compatibility, as older nodes simply skip the unrecognized extension sections.

The patent applies partial action by transmitting only the necessary extension information when needed, rather than always transmitting complete feature sets. The network node determines whether to transmit extension portions based on the UE's capability indication, avoiding unnecessary signaling to legacy nodes while providing full functionality when both ends support extensions.