Resolving Ambiguous UE Capability Signaling in Wireless Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ambiguous user equipment (UE) capability signaling in wireless communication networks leads to unclear communication settings between UEs and base stations, particularly when UEs signal multiple capabilities for the same band combination, causing ambiguity in feature usage.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method where UEs determine and signal their capabilities for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) or coordinated multipoint (CoMP) features across different frequency bands, allowing the base station to identify a specific combination of capabilities using deterministic rules, such as alphabetical ordering or network signaling, to resolve ambiguity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the UE signals multiple capability combinations for the same band combination, then the adaptability and versatility of the UE are improved, but the ambiguity in capability signaling increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUE capability adaptabilityVSAvoidcapability signaling clarity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the UE signal multiple capability combinations in advance, allowing the network to select the appropriate one later. This resolves the contradiction by preparing multiple options beforehand (improving adaptability) while maintaining clear signaling through structured capability reports (preserving information clarity).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by enabling the UE capability configuration to change based on different band combinations and network selections. The UE can dynamically adapt its signaled capabilities to match network requirements, resolving the contradiction between versatility (multiple capability options) and signaling clarity (deterministic selection).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the network selects from multiple signaled capability combinations, then the adaptability of the communication system is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork capability selectionVSAvoidbase station processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the capability signaling into separate capability reports for different band combinations. Each report contains specific capability combinations, allowing the network to process and select from organized segments rather than a single complex block, thus reducing processing complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial action by having the UE signal capability combinations only for relevant band combinations rather than all possible combinations. This reduces the overall complexity for the network while maintaining sufficient adaptability for actual deployment scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If deterministic rules are used to select capability combinations, then the reliability of capability interpretation is improved, but the flexibility in capability selection is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapability interpretation consistencyVSAvoidcapability selection flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by establishing deterministic selection rules in advance (e.g., selecting the first capability combination in a reported list, or using alphabetical ordering). This ensures reliable and consistent capability interpretation across different UEs and networks while the UE maintains flexibility in preparing multiple capability options for selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2946482B1Methods and apparatus for resolving ambiguous user equipment (UE) capability signaling
Publication Date: 2019.07.31 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP2946482B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2946482B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2946482B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Certain aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to resolving ambiguous user equipment (UE) capability signaling. According to certain aspects, a method for wireless communications by a UE is provided. The method generally includes determining capabilities of the UE to support at least one of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) or coordinated multipoint (CoMP) features on different operating frequency bands of a radio access network (RAN), signaling, to a base station (BS) of the RAN, a first combination of capabilities of the UE for a combination of bands, signaling, to the BS, a second combination of capabilities, different than the first combination of capabilities, for the combination of bands, and identifying, based on or more criteria, a particular combination of capabilities to be used to communicate with the BS. In certain aspects, the UE may identify the combination of capabilities to use by applying a deterministic rule.