UE Cell Update for QoE Report Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for collecting Quality of Experience (QoE) measurements in wireless networks are limited, as user equipment (UE) can only transmit large measurement reports in the CELL_DCH RRC state, leading to potential report delays and buffer issues when in lower activity states like CELL_FACH, CELL_PCH, or URA_PCH, with no mechanism to handle such cases effectively.

Innovation Solution

The UE initiates a Cell Update message with a special cause value to transition to the CELL_DCH state when an application layer measurement report is ready, allowing the report to be transmitted while in the CELL_DCH state, even if initially received in a lower activity state, using a new cause value or information element in the Cell Update message.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the UE transmits measurement reports only in CELL_DCH state, then the transmission reliability is improved, but the loss of time increases due to state transitions and buffer delays

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission reliabilityVSAvoidreport delay time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of RRC state requirements for measurement report transmission. Instead of requiring CELL_DCH state, the UE can now transmit reports in any RRC connected state (CELL_DCH, CELL_FACH, CELL_PCH, or URA_PCH) by using uplink data transmission mechanisms appropriate for each state, eliminating the need for state transitions before reporting

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic adaptation of transmission mechanisms based on the current RRC state. The UE selects appropriate transmission methods (RRC message for CELL_DCH, uplink data for CELL_FACH/CELL_PCH/URA_PCH) depending on its current state, making the system flexible and state-independent while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the UE transitions to CELL_DCH state to send measurement reports, then the transmission capability is improved, but the use of energy increases due to state transition overhead

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the UE to use existing uplink data transmission resources already allocated for other purposes to carry measurement reports. The UE can embed reports in regular uplink data transmissions or use available uplink resources without triggering additional state transitions, making the system self-sufficient and energy-efficient

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the uplink transmission mechanism universal by allowing it to serve both original data transmission purposes and measurement report transmission. The same uplink resources and procedures are used for multiple functions, eliminating the need for dedicated high-capacity channels and reducing energy consumption

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

Data Source

PatentEP3603163B1Transitioning to cell-DCH RRC state to report application-level measurement
Publication Date: 2021.12.08 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3603163B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3603163B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3603163B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

According to one example embodiment, a method in a user equipment, UE, includes receiving (502) a request from a radio access network for a measurement report for an application operating at a layer above a radio resource control, RRC, protocol layer. The UE generates (504) the measurement report in response to the request and determines (506) a current RRC connected state of the UE when the measurement report is ready to be sent. In response to determining that the current RRC connected state of the UE is not a CELL_DCH RRC state, the UE sends (512) a cell update message to the radio access network and receives (514) instructions from the radio access network to transition to the CELL_DCH RRC state. The UE transitions (516) to the CELL_DCH RRC state and transmits (518) the measurement report while the UE is in the CELL_DCH RRC state. Related user equipment nodes, radio access nodes and methods are disclosed.