User Device SCell Measurement Control for Battery Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

In LTE systems, especially in Rel.13, the battery consumption is high due to continuous quality measurement of Secondary Cells (SCells) during carrier aggregation, leading to unnecessary activation of cells and potential interference with primary cells, and CQI reporting is only possible when SCells are activated, which further wastes battery life.

Innovation Solution

A method for dynamically starting and stopping SCell measurements based on configuration instructions from the base station, allowing measurements to be performed only when necessary, and enabling CSI reporting in a deactivated state to reduce battery consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If continuous quality measurement of SCells is performed during carrier aggregation, then cell quality information is obtained, but battery consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell quality measurementVSAvoidbattery consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic measurement of SCell quality instead of continuous measurement. The measurement is performed at specific intervals or triggered by certain conditions, allowing the system to obtain cell quality information while significantly reducing battery consumption by keeping the measurement function dormant between periodic intervals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts the measurement behavior based on system state. When SCell is deactivated, measurement is stopped or performed minimally. When SCell is activated or quality degrades below thresholds, measurement is triggered. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize between measurement accuracy and energy consumption based on current operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If SCell is activated for CQI reporting, then reporting capability is enabled, but battery consumption increases and interference with PCell may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCQI reporting capabilityVSAvoidbattery consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the CQI reporting function from the SCell activation state. Instead of requiring full SCell activation for CQI reporting, the system enables reporting capability independently through configuration parameters. This allows CQI reporting to be performed while SCell remains in a lower-power state, separating the reporting function from the full cell activation overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses configured thresholds and autonomous decision-making to determine when CQI reporting should occur. The UE autonomously evaluates SCell quality against configured thresholds and triggers reporting only when necessary, without requiring continuous activation or manual intervention. This self-service approach enables reporting capability while minimizing unnecessary activation events that consume battery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If multiple SCells are pre-configured, then SCell addition and deletion processing is simplified, but measurement and activation of unnecessary cells wastes battery

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSCell management complexityVSAvoidbattery consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic measurement and activation thresholds for pre-configured SCells. Instead of continuously measuring and potentially activating all pre-configured SCells, the system uses quality thresholds to determine which SCells should be measured and activated. This dynamic approach maintains the simplified management structure of pre-configured cells while adding intelligence to prevent unnecessary measurement and activation of cells that don't meet quality criteria.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of pre-configured SCells based on quality measurements. When SCell quality exceeds configured thresholds, measurement and activation are triggered. When quality falls below thresholds, measurement is stopped and activation is prevented. This parameter-based control transforms static pre-configuration into a dynamic system that adapts to actual radio conditions, eliminating waste from managing unnecessary cells.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3253111B1User device and cell measurement method
Publication Date: 2020.05.20 NTT DOCOMO INC
  • EP3253111B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3253111B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3253111B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A user apparatus configured to communicate with a base station in a mobile communication system that supports carrier aggregation, including: a management unit configured to receive, from the base station, a configuration message for adding a cell or a cell group in the carrier aggregation, and perform configuration of the cell or the cell group, and to receive, from the base station, measurement configuration information on measurement of the cell or the cell group; and a measurement unit configured to allow not to perform measurement of the cell or the cell group based on the measurement configuration information until a predetermined condition is satisfied, and to perform measurement of the cell or the cell group based on the measurement configuration information when the predetermined condition is satisfied to transmit a measurement report to the base station.