UE Capability Signaling for Coverage Mode Differentiation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in bandwidth consumption due to unnecessary transmission of information that user equipment (UE) cannot use, as base stations lack accurate knowledge of UE capabilities across different coverage modes, leading to unsupported functions or parameters.

Innovation Solution

The UE is configured to signal its capability information to the base station, allowing it to transmit data only within its capabilities, and new information elements (IEs) and capability bits are used to differentiate capabilities between coverage modes, optimizing signaling and reducing unnecessary bandwidth usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the base station transmits information relating to functions or parameters that the UE may not support, then the base station ensures comprehensive coverage of all possible functions, but bandwidth consumption increases due to unnecessary transmission of information that the UE cannot use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunction support coverageVSAvoidbandwidth consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The UE performs capability signaling before the base station transmits function-related information. The base station receives capability information indicating which functions or parameters the UE supports, and uses this information to determine what information to transmit, thereby avoiding unnecessary bandwidth consumption while ensuring reliable function support

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The UE provides feedback to the base station about its capability to support specific functions or parameters. The base station uses this feedback information to adapt its transmissions, sending only information that the UE can actually use, thus optimizing bandwidth efficiency while maintaining comprehensive function coverage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If the UE signals detailed capability information for each coverage mode, then the base station achieves accurate knowledge of UE capabilities, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapability knowledge accuracyVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The capability information is segmented by coverage mode, with each coverage mode having its own capability indication. The UE signals capabilities separately for different coverage modes (e.g., normal coverage, enhanced coverage), allowing the base station to accurately know which functions are supported in each mode without requiring exhaustive signaling for all possible combinations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different capability information is provided for different coverage modes based on local requirements. The UE signals specific capability parameters that are relevant to each coverage mode's characteristics, such as different repetition factors or coverage enhancement parameters, rather than transmitting a uniform set of capabilities for all modes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3665919B1Signaling user equipment capability information
Publication Date: 2024.06.19 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3665919B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3665919B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2D
  • EP3665919B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In an example, a method of communication of a UE may include establishing, by the UE, a connection with a base station. The method may include sending, by the UE to the base station, UE capability information in response to a trigger. The UE capability information may be based on whether one or more capabilities of the UE differs or is the same between a first coverage mode and a second coverage mode. In another example, a method of communication of a UE may include establishing, by the UE, a connection with a base station. The method may include sending, to the base station, first UE capability information in response to a first trigger. The method may include sending, by the UE to the base station, second UE capability information in response to a second trigger. The second UE capability information may be different from the first UE capability information.