Wireless Device Scheduling for Neighbor Cell Measurement Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in aligning wireless device and cellular network expectations and behaviors during neighbor cell measurements, leading to inefficient network resource and power consumption, as well as unexpected interference.

Innovation Solution

Configuring wireless devices to operate in accordance with specific expectations and requirements for neighbor cell measurements, including selecting reference signals and adjusting communication timing to align with serving cell operations, thereby reducing unexpected behavior and resource waste.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If wireless devices perform neighbor cell measurements simultaneously with serving cell communication, then measurement accuracy is improved, but network resource waste and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveneighbor cell measurement accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by scheduling neighbor cell measurements at specific time intervals and aligning them with periodic reference signals. The network configures measurement occasions that occur periodically, allowing the wireless device to perform measurements only at these predetermined times rather than continuously, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining measurement accuracy through regular sampling of neighbor cell conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the network pre-configure measurement configurations including reference signal resources, time/frequency locations, and measurement parameters before the wireless device performs measurements. This advance configuration allows the device to efficiently execute measurements without needing to dynamically negotiate parameters during measurement occasions, reducing both power consumption and network resource waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If wireless devices perform neighbor cell measurements simultaneously with serving cell communication, then measurement accuracy is improved, but unexpected interference occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveneighbor cell measurement accuracyVSAvoidunexpected interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the measurement process into distinct, non-overlapping time resources. The network configures specific time slots and reference signal occasions dedicated to neighbor cell measurements, separating them from serving cell communication resources. This resource segmentation prevents interference between measurement activities and normal communication operations, as the wireless device can switch between measurement and communication modes without conflict.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the network configuration system as an intermediary to coordinate between measurement requirements and communication operations. The network acts as a mediator by allocating dedicated reference signal resources and measurement occasions that are independent of serving cell data transmissions. This intermediary configuration ensures that measurements and communications occur in harmonized time-frequency resources, eliminating unexpected interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If wireless devices adjust communication timing to align with reference signals, then network efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork efficiencyVSAvoidtiming alignment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the wireless device to autonomously determine its timing alignment based on pre-configured reference signal parameters. The device uses the provided reference signal locations and timing information to automatically adjust its measurement and communication timing without requiring continuous network control or complex coordination protocols. This self-service timing alignment simplifies the overall system while maintaining network efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4101219B1Wireless device scheduling availability during neighbor cell measurements
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 APPLE INC
  • EP4101219B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4101219B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4101219B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

This disclosure relates to techniques for aligning wireless device and cellular network expectations and behavior in conjunction with neighbor cell measurements in a wireless communication system. A wireless device may determine that a reference signal is configured for a neighbor cell measurement when communication with the serving cell is also configured. The wireless device may determine whether the reference signal for the neighbor cell measurement is configured with same or different subcarrier spacing as the communication with the serving cell. The wireless device may select one or more of the reference signal for the neighbor cell measurement or the communication with the serving cell to receive based at least in part on whether the reference signal for the neighbor cell measurement is configured with same or different subcarrier spacing as the communication with the serving cell.