UE Radio Capability Signaling for Dynamic Update Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radio access capability signaling (RACS) techniques fail to accurately and efficiently describe changes in user equipment (UE) capabilities, leading to inefficiencies in wireless communication systems.

Innovation Solution

A manufacturer server creates and transmits UE radio capability IDs to networks, and networks maintain distinct IDs for UEs with and without updates, while UEs can register and update their capabilities dynamically.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If existing RACS techniques are used to describe UE capability changes, then the signaling process is simple, but the accuracy and efficiency of describing capability changes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of capability change descriptionVSAvoidsignaling process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments UE capability changes into distinct types: capability updates (enhancements) and capability reductions. This segmentation allows the system to handle different capability change scenarios with dedicated handling mechanisms, improving accuracy while managing complexity through structured classification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic capability handling where the network can push capability updates to UEs, and UEs can dynamically register or unregister capabilities. The system maintains dynamic capability lists and version numbers, allowing flexible and accurate description of capability changes without rigid signaling procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If detailed capability tracking is implemented, then the accuracy of capability description improves, but the signaling overhead and processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapability description accuracyVSAvoidsignaling time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by having the network store capability information in advance and use version numbers to track changes. The network can push capability updates before they are needed, and UEs can pre-register for capability changes, reducing real-time signaling overhead while maintaining accurate capability tracking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where UEs notify the network of capability changes, and the network responds with acknowledgment and updates. This feedback loop ensures accurate capability description while optimizing signaling time through efficient exchange of capability information between network and device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple capability versions are maintained, then the adaptability of the system improves, but the complexity of managing capability versions increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapability update adaptabilityVSAvoidversion management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses parameter changes through version numbers to manage capability versions. Instead of maintaining complex versioning structures, the system uses version numbers (e.g., version 1, version 2) to represent different capability sets. This parameter-based approach improves adaptability to new capabilities while simplifying version management through numeric identifiers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal capability management framework that handles multiple capability types and versions through a single standardized approach. The network function and UE both use the same capability list structure and version number mechanism, providing multi-functionality across different capability scenarios while reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3813336B1Enhancements for radio access capability signaling (RACS)
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 APPLE INC
  • EP3813336B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3813336B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3813336B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Embodiments are presented herein of apparatuses, systems, and methods for a user equipment device (UE), manufacturer server, and/or cellular network to perform radio capability signaling. A new type of UE radio capability identifier is provided which may allow a network to distinguish between similar UEs that have or have not implemented a capability update. In order to perform a forced capability update, a manufacturer may issue information about the update to a cellular network (and receive acknowledgement of the information) prior to pushing the update to UEs. In response to an unforced capability update, a cellular network may maintain multiple UE radio capability identifiers for similar UEs which have or have not implemented the update. A UE radio capability identifier may be adjusted dynamically in response to temporary changes in the UE's capability.