UE Cell Activation via Combined MAC CE Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, particularly in LTE and New Radio Access Technology (NR), there is a need for efficient cell activation methods that minimize signaling overhead and prevent random access preamble collisions during RRC connection establishment, especially when packet duplication is required.
Innovation Solution
The user equipment (UE) autonomously activates deactivated secondary cells upon receiving a duplication MAC control element with duplication = ON, allowing for reduced signaling overhead and efficient packet transmission by enabling packet duplication without requiring separate activation/deactivation commands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the network sends separate activation/deactivation commands for each cell, then cell activation control is precise and reliable, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines cell activation command and packet duplication command into a single MAC CE message. When the network wants to activate a deactivated SCell for packet duplication, it sends both commands together in one signaling message, reducing the number of separate signaling transmissions while maintaining precise control over cell activation status
Solution Approach 2:
The MAC CE message is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it can activate/deactivate SCells, enable/disable packet duplication, and control multiple cells in one message. This multi-functional approach reduces signaling overhead by consolidating what would otherwise require separate messages
2Reliability
If the UE waits for separate activation commands before using deactivated cells for packet duplication, then cell activation is controlled precisely, but transmission delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network pre-configures the UE with multiple SCells and packet duplication capabilities in advance. When packet duplication is needed, the network can immediately activate a deactivated SCell and enable duplication simultaneously through a single MAC CE command, avoiding the delay of sequential activation and duplication enablement
Solution Approach 2:
By merging cell activation and duplication enablement into one simultaneous operation via combined MAC CE messaging, the system eliminates the time gap between receiving activation command and being able to use the cell for duplication, reducing overall transmission delay
3Productivity
If the UE autonomously activates cells upon receiving duplication command, then signaling overhead is reduced and transmission is faster, but cell activation control precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The UE autonomously activates the deactivated SCell itself upon receiving the duplication MAC CE command, without waiting for separate activation commands. This self-service approach speeds up the process while the network maintains control through the authoritative duplication command that implicitly authorizes the activation
4Reliability
If multiple cells are activated for packet duplication, then packet transmission reliability improves through redundancy, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the network to activate multiple SCells and enable packet duplication across them using a single MAC CE message that can contain multiple cell identifiers and duplication parameters. This consolidated signaling approach maintains reliable multi-cell duplication while minimizing the number of separate signaling transactions required
Data Source
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AI summary
The method for a user equipment (UE) performing cell activation comprises receiving a duplication activation command for a first duplicate radio bearer (RB); activating duplication for the first duplicate RB based on the duplication activation command; and activating a first cell mapped to the first duplicate RB if the first cell is deactivated.