UE Capability Reporting for Carrier Aggregation Harmonics
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Solution Overview
Problem
In radio communication systems, the current LTE specification fails to distinguish between harmonic-supported and harmonic-unsupported user equipment, leading to difficulties in proper inter-band carrier aggregation due to sensitivity degradation caused by harmonics, especially with frequency band combinations like B4 and B12, and B3 and B8, which can change with new frequency assignments or operator reorganizations.
Innovation Solution
A user equipment with a carrier aggregation function, including a communication control unit, capability management unit, and capability reporting unit, manages and reports specific requirements for transmission and reception characteristics for each combination of carrier aggregation frequency bands, allowing the network to differentiate between harmonic-supported and unsupported devices and adjust carrier aggregation configurations accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a low-pass filter is inserted to cut harmonics in frequency band 12, then reception sensitivity degradation is improved, but transmission power tolerance and reception sensitivity margins are worsened (relaxed)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of transmission power tolerance and reception sensitivity margins based on the presence or absence of a low-pass filter. When a low-pass filter is detected, the system applies stricter parameters (smaller tolerances and margins) to compensate for the filter's impact on transmission and reception characteristics. This allows the system to maintain reliable communication while accommodating the harmonic filtering requirement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the LTE specification defines fixed transmission power tolerance and reception sensitivity margins, then device compatibility is improved, but adaptability to different harmonic scenarios is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the capability reporting mechanism into distinct components: a low-pass filter detection unit that identifies filter presence, a capability management unit that stores multiple parameter sets, and a reporting unit that selectively reports appropriate parameters. This segmentation allows the system to adapt to different harmonic scenarios while maintaining a structured and manageable implementation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the user equipment detects the presence of a low-pass filter and reports this capability information back to the base station. The base station then uses this feedback information to appropriately configure transmission parameters and power settings, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to the specific hardware configuration of each user equipment.
3Reliability
If carrier aggregation is configured without considering harmonic effects, then system simplicity is improved, but reception sensitivity in higher frequency bands is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the user equipment detect and report low-pass filter capability information before carrier aggregation is configured. The base station uses this advance information to proactively configure appropriate transmission parameters, power settings, and frequency band combinations that account for harmonic effects, rather than dealing with sensitivity issues after configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to some techniques for controlling carrier aggregation properly in a radio communication system including a mixture of harmonic-supported user equipments and harmonic-unsupported user equipments. One aspect of the present invention relates to a user equipment having a carrier aggregation function, comprising: a communication control unit configured to control radio communication with a base station; a capability management unit configured to manage a requirement on transmission and reception characteristics supported by the user equipment for each combination of carrier aggregation frequency bands; and a capability reporting unit configured to report the requirement on the transmission and reception characteristics supported by the user equipment as a capability to the base station.