Wireless Signaling via Dynamic LCID Repurposing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing LTE communication standards have a scarce range of Logical Channel Identifier (LCID) values, which limits the flexibility and efficiency of signaling mechanisms, making it cumbersome to expand or deviate from the default mappings for MAC control and other purposes.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves temporarily repurposing preexisting LCIDs for alternate uses in compatible wireless communication devices and network nodes, allowing for extended signaling capabilities without introducing incompatibility with the standard, by selecting and signaling the alternate use of LCIDs for secondary cell groups, radio bearers, and logical channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the standard defines a fixed range of LCID values for identifying logical channels, then the standard operation between network and wireless devices is ensured, but the flexibility to expand or deviate from default mappings is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the LCID assignment dynamic rather than static. The network node dynamically selects an LCID from the reserved range and temporarily assigns it to a wireless device for alternate use (e.g., extended signaling). This dynamic reassignment allows the system to adapt to new signaling needs while maintaining the ability to revert to standard usage, thus resolving the contradiction between flexibility and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-reserving a range of LCID values for future or alternate uses before they are actually needed. The network node prepares these reserved LCIDs in advance and can activate them when required for extended signaling functionality. This preliminary preparation enables flexible expansion without compromising the stability of currently active standard mappings.
2Adaptability or versatility
If reserved LCID values are made available for alternate use, then extended signaling capabilities are enabled, but conflicts with standard usage may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the alternate use of reserved LCIDs local to specific wireless devices rather than network-wide. Each wireless device receives a dedicated reserved LCID assignment from the network node, and this assignment is device-specific. This localized approach ensures that alternate use of reserved LCIDs does not conflict with standard usage for other devices, thus enabling extended signaling while avoiding harmful conflicts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing the network node as a mediator between the reserved LCID pool and the wireless devices. The network node acts as an intermediary that selectively assigns reserved LCIDs to devices that need extended signaling capabilities. This mediating role ensures that standard usage is preserved for devices that do not require alternate uses, while enabling extended functionality where needed without causing conflicts.
3Quantity of substance
If more LCID values are allocated for MAC control and signaling, then the signaling capacity is increased, but the scarce range of predefined values makes this difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by making reserved LCID values multi-functional. These reserved values can serve dual purposes: their primary standard use for identifying logical channels and their alternate use for extended signaling when assigned to specific devices. This multi-functionality allows the system to increase signaling capacity without requiring a completely new set of identifiers, thus expanding capability while avoiding the complexity of managing entirely separate identifier spaces.
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, the teachings herein provide a new mechanism for signaling in a manner that makes advantageous use of preexisting identifiers that are defined for a communication network by an applicable communication standard or protocol according to a “standard” use, by temporarily repurposing one or more such identifiers for an alternate use differing from the standard use. For example, a network base station or other node knows or learns that a given wireless device operating in the network is compatible with the alternate use, selects a given one of the identifiers and temporarily repurposes its for an alternate use, e.g., where the alternate use provides a new signaling mechanism between the network and the compatible device. These operations include limiting the repurposing to occasions involving compatible devices and avoiding avoid conflicts with standard usage involving non-compatible devices.