UE Random Access via Preconfigured Secondary PCells
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Solution Overview
Problem
The switching off of a Primary Cell (PCell) in a UE leads to increased latency and delay in data transmission due to the prohibition of Random Access (RA) procedures in Secondary Cells (SCells), which is undesirable for high-priority data transmission.
Innovation Solution
A method for a UE to receive data from a gNB to configure and activate secondary PCells for RA procedures when the primary PCell is switched off, allowing immediate transition to a secondary PCell for RA, reducing latency and delay.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the PCell is switched off to save network energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but data transmission latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring secondary PCells with RA procedure capabilities before the primary PCell is switched off. The UE receives configuration data about secondary PCells in advance, including their RA procedure parameters, so that when the primary PCell switches off, the UE can immediately activate a secondary PCell and perform RA procedure without waiting for configuration, thereby reducing latency while enabling energy savings.
2Device complexity
If RA procedure is prohibited in SCells to maintain system simplicity, then system complexity is reduced, but data transmission flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the RA procedure capability dynamic rather than static. Secondary PCells are configured with RA procedure capability only when needed (when the primary PCell is switched off), rather than being permanently enabled. This dynamic activation maintains system simplicity during normal operation while providing transmission flexibility when required, resolving the contradiction between complexity and adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
An RA (Random Access) procedure is performed by a UE (User Equipment) in cell of a gNB (next-generation Node B) of a mobile network. The UE activates, based on first data, a primary PCell. The UE receives second data from the gNB about one or more secondary PCells for (i) configuring the one or more secondary PCells and for (ii) performing an RA procedure in the one or more secondary PCells. The UE further receives third data from the gNB, indicating which of the one or more secondary PCells is to be activated. After the UE determines that the primary PCell is switched off, it activated the indicated secondary PCell, based on the second and third data. The UE performs an RA procedure in the activated secondary PCell based on the second data.