UE Configuration Adjustment During Handover

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, when a user equipment (UE) is unable to handle a requested capability, it leads to wastage of time-frequency resources due to internal issues or overheating, and existing solutions do not adequately address the situation during handovers.

Innovation Solution

A method and base station configuration that allows a UE to temporarily change its configuration by requesting a configuration change from the first base station, which is then updated during a handover to a second base station, enabling the UE to modify or release configurations such as carrier aggregation, dual connectivity, or MIMO settings to match its capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the base station configures the UE according to the reported UE capability, then the network can utilize high-capability features, but time-frequency resources are wasted when the UE cannot actually support the configured capability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork resource utilizationVSAvoidwasted time-frequency resources
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic configuration adjustment by allowing the UE to report its actual operational capability status (e.g., overheating state) and enabling the network to temporarily modify the UE configuration. This dynamic adaptation ensures that the network configures the UE according to its real-time capability rather than maximum potential capability, preventing resource waste while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the capability parameter from a static maximum capability to a dynamic operational capability that can be adjusted based on UE state. By introducing capability status indicators (such as overheating status) and allowing temporary configuration modifications, the system transforms the rigid capability parameter into a flexible one that reflects actual UE operational state, resolving the contradiction between resource utilization and resource waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the UE operates at high capability to maximize performance, then communication efficiency is improved, but the UE may overheat or experience internal problems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidoverheating and internal problems
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a preventive mechanism where the UE monitors its own operational state and proactively reports capability status (such as overheating conditions) to the network before critical failures occur. This allows the network to preemptively adjust configurations to prevent harmful effects, rather than waiting for problems to manifest and then reacting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes a feedback loop where the UE continuously monitors its operational capability status and communicates this information back to the network. The network then uses this feedback to adjust UE configurations appropriately, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to UE conditions and prevents overheating while maintaining optimal communication efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If the network requests UE capability information to optimize configuration, then configuration accuracy is improved, but the UE must maintain RRC connection to report capability changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration accuracyVSAvoidRRC connection maintenance requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the UE to proactively report capability status changes to the network even when not explicitly requested, by allowing the UE to initiate capability status reporting when its operational state changes. This preliminary action ensures the network has accurate capability information without requiring continuous RRC connection maintenance for capability reporting purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Loss of energy

If the UE temporarily downgrades its configuration to match current capability, then resource wastage is reduced, but the UE must initiate configuration change requests

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereduced resource wastageVSAvoidconfiguration change initiation requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent empowers the UE to autonomously monitor its own capability status and initiate configuration change requests when needed. By implementing self-service capability status monitoring and reporting mechanisms, the UE can independently manage its configuration to match its operational state without requiring continuous network intervention, thereby reducing resource wastage while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3573359B1Base station and method for handling user equipment configuration
Publication Date: 2021.01.20 HTC CORP
  • EP3573359B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3573359B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3573359B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A communication device for handling a temporary UE configuration comprises a storage device for storing instructions and a processing circuit coupled to the storage device. The processing circuit is configured to execute the instructions stored in the storage device. The instructions comprise receiving a configuration from a first base station; communicating with the first BS according to the configuration; transmitting a first message to the first BS to request changing the configuration; performing a handover to a second BS; and transmitting the first message to the second BS to request changing the configuration, when connecting to the second BS in response to the handover.