UE Network Switching via Measurement Gap Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing measurement gap patterns in wireless communications are inadequate for efficient system information acquisition and on-demand SI operations, particularly for user equipment (UE) switching between networks, leading to data loss and interruptions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing new gap patterns with measurement gap lengths (MGL) of 20 ms, 40 ms, 80 ms, or 160 ms and a measurement gap repetition period (MGRP) of 5120 ms, allowing the UE to acquire system information blocks (SIBs) during dedicated measurement gaps without requiring additional operations outside these gaps, thereby ensuring seamless switching between networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing measurement gap patterns are used, then the UE can perform measurements on network B, but the UE cannot efficiently acquire system information blocks (SIBs) and experience data loss or interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by configuring the UE with measurement gap patterns and associated parameters (MGL, MGRP, gapOffset) in advance before the UE needs to acquire SIBs. The network provides the UE with the measurementGapPatternR16 information including multiple gap patterns with different MGL values (20ms, 40ms, 80ms, 160ms) and MGRP values, allowing the UE to have pre-configured knowledge of when and how to perform measurements and acquire system information, thereby avoiding data loss and reducing acquisition time.
2Loss of information
If the UE requests on-demand system information during measurement gaps, then the UE can acquire SIBs, but the measurement gap configuration becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by introducing multiple measurement gap patterns with different MGL and MGRP values that can be dynamically selected and configured based on the specific network conditions and UE requirements. The measurement gap configuration is not fixed but can be adapted through RRC signaling, allowing the network to optimize the gap pattern for different scenarios (e.g., different SIB scheduling patterns, different measurement requirements), thereby managing the complexity through flexible configuration rather than rigid structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying the MGL (measurement gap length) and MGRP (measurement gap repetition period) parameters across different measurement gap patterns. The configuration includes patterns with MGL of 20ms, 40ms, 80ms, or 160ms and corresponding MGRP values, allowing the system to adjust the measurement gap parameters to match the SIB scheduling timing and duration, thereby enabling efficient on-demand SI acquisition without excessive complexity.
3Loss of information
If the measurement gap length is extended to cover SIB acquisition, then the UE can read SIBs during gaps, but the interruption to network A communication increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the measurement and SIB acquisition process into multiple shorter measurement gaps rather than using a single long gap. The measurement gap pattern is segmented into periodic gaps with MGRP of 5120ms, where each individual gap has MGL of 20ms, 40ms, 80ms, or 160ms. This segmentation allows the UE to perform measurements and acquire SIBs distributed across multiple time points, reducing the continuous interruption duration to network A communication while still enabling complete SIB acquisition through cumulative reading across the segmented gaps.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus comprising: memory to store measurement gap configuration information associated with network switching for a user equipment (UE); and processing circuitry to: retrieve the measurement gap configuration information from the memory, wherein the measurement gap configuration information includes a measurement gap pattern having: a measurement gap length (MGL) of 20 ms, 40 ms, 80 ms, or 160 ms, and a measurement gap repetition period of 5120 ms; and encode a message for transmission to the UE that includes the measurement gap configuration information.