User Equipment Carrier Aggregation Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Carrier aggregation in LTE-Advanced networks leads to increased power consumption even when data exchange is low, as the user equipment (UE) remains in an enabled state without the benefits of increased data transfer rates, resulting in unnecessary power usage.
Innovation Solution
The UE initiates management of carrier aggregation by transmitting artificial reports or indicators to the network, allowing it to toggle the carrier aggregation functionality between enabled and disabled states, thereby conserving power by deactivating secondary component carriers when data exchange requirements are low, using artificial power headroom, channel quality indicator, and other metrics to constructively disable carrier aggregation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If carrier aggregation is enabled to increase bandwidth and data transfer rates, then data transmission performance is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between carrier aggregation enabled and disabled states based on real-time data exchange requirements. The UE monitors data activity and toggles carrier aggregation configuration accordingly, transitioning from a static configuration to a dynamic adaptive one that matches actual network conditions and user needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of carrier aggregation by adjusting the aggregation configuration (enabling/disabling) based on data exchange thresholds. When data exchange requirements drop below a certain threshold, the system changes parameters to disable carrier aggregation, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining adequate performance.
2Reliability
If carrier aggregation is continuously enabled to maintain high data transfer capability, then communication performance is preserved, but unnecessary power consumption occurs during low data activity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the UE continuously monitors data exchange requirements and uses this information to control the carrier aggregation state. The system compares actual data activity against thresholds and adjusts carrier aggregation configuration accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents unnecessary power consumption while maintaining performance when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The UE autonomously manages its own carrier aggregation configuration by monitoring its own data exchange requirements and making decisions about enabling or disabling carrier aggregation without requiring external network control. This self-service approach allows the device to optimize its power consumption based on its actual operational needs.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods that are performed by a user equipment (UE) and corresponding methods of base stations that allow a UE to determine whether the UE is in a carrier aggregation enabled or disabled state. One exemplary embodiment of a method performed by a UE determines a first artificial value for a first parameter and a second artificial value for a power headroom (PHR) for a secondary component carrier (SCC), the first and second artificial values being substantially low relative to a configuration of the network, generates an artificial report including the first and second artificial values, transmits the artificial report to a primary cell providing a primary component carrier (PCC) and receives an indication that the UE is placed in a carrier aggregation disabled state.