Radio Resource Control (RRC) configuration

Abstract

According to various, but not necessarily all, exemplary embodiments, there is provided a device configured to implement a radio resource control (RRC) configuration to support wireless communication between a device and another device in a wireless communication network, the device comprising: a radio resource control kernel configured to implement a radio processing unit associated with the radio resource control RRC configuration that enables wireless communication between the device and the other device, and a further radio processing unit associated with the radio resource control RRC configuration that supports wireless communication between the device and the other device, the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit being concurrently implementable by the radio resource control kernel, and wherein the radio resource configurations associated with each of the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit are maintained by the radio resource control kernel upon detecting one or more radio configuration events.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Various exemplary embodiments relate to apparatus and methods for Radio Resource Control (RRC) configuration in wireless communication networks. [Background technology]

[0002] Communications between user equipment (UE) can be supported by the provision of a radio access communication network. Network access nodes, e.g., base stations, are geographically distributed, support one or more cells of radio coverage, and together form the network-side part of the communication network. User equipment within the area served or covered by a network access node is configured to establish communications with the radio access network via one or more radio links with the network access node.

[0003] The user equipment and the network nodes are configured to be able to establish and maintain a functional radio link to support communications within the network. Establishing and maintaining such a radio link requires signaling between the user equipment and the network. Once such a link is established, the radio link can be used to support information transfer between nodes of the network, e.g., between user equipments or between the user equipment and the network side.

[0004] What is needed is a method and apparatus for supporting wireless communications within a radio access network. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The scope of protection sought for various embodiments of the invention is set out in the independent claims. Examples and features described herein that do not fall within the scope of the independent claims, if any, should be interpreted as useful examples for understanding various embodiments of the invention.

[0006] According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments, there is provided a device configured to implement a radio resource control (RRC) configuration to support wireless communication between a device and another device in a wireless communications network, the device comprising: a radio processing unit associated with the radio resource control (RRC) configuration that enables wireless communication between the device and the other device; and a further radio processing unit associated with the radio resource control (RRC) configuration that supports wireless communication between the device and the other device, the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit being concurrently implementable by the radio resource control kernel; and a radio resource configuration associated with each of the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit being maintained by the radio resource control kernel upon detecting one or more radio configuration events.

[0007] In some exemplary embodiments, the device comprises user equipment, hi some exemplary embodiments, the other device comprises a network access node.

[0008] In some exemplary embodiments, the wireless processing unit is configured to support control plane communications between the device and another device.

[0009] In some exemplary embodiments, the further radio processing unit is configured to support user plane communications between the device and another device.

[0010] In some exemplary embodiments, the RRC configuration includes a number of radio parameters that dictate or set how a device should behave during wireless communication in a wireless communication network.

[0011] In some exemplary embodiments, the kernel is configured to implement multiple additional wireless processing units.

[0012] In some exemplary embodiments, multiple additional wireless processing units are operable simultaneously to support parallel wireless communications between the device and another device using at least two of the multiple additional wireless processing units.

[0013] In some exemplary embodiments, the multiple additional wireless processing units are independently operable to support parallel wireless communications between the device and another device using at least two of the multiple additional wireless processing units.

[0014] In some exemplary embodiments, the RRC configurations associated with the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit are independently modifiable.

[0015] In some exemplary embodiments, the device is configured to determine that a condition associated with use of the further wireless processing unit is satisfied and to initiate a radio resource control connection setup with another device using a radio resource connection configuration associated with the further processing unit.

[0016] In some exemplary embodiments, the one or more wireless configuration events include the device exiting connected mode and entering idle mode.

[0017] In some demonstrative embodiments, the one or more radio configuration events include one or more of a radio link failure between the device and another device, a radio connection failure between the device and another device, a radio resource control (RRC) state transition, a handover, and a handover failure.

[0018] In some exemplary embodiments, the one or more wireless configuration events include an event experienced by a communication link supported by a further wireless processing unit.

[0019] In some exemplary embodiments, when a radio configuration event is detected, the device is configured to select a radio processing unit or a further radio processing unit and initiate communication between the device and another device using an associated radio resource control (RRC) configuration that enables wireless communication between the device and the other device.

[0020] In some demonstrative embodiments, when a wireless configuration event is detected, the device is configured to select a wireless processing unit or a further wireless processing unit for communication between the device and another device and to communicate an indication of the selection to the other device.

[0021] According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments, there is provided a method of implementing a radio resource control (RRC) configuration in a device to support wireless communication between the device and another device in a wireless communications network, the method comprising: providing a radio resource control kernel in the device; and configuring the kernel to implement a radio processing unit and a further radio processing unit, the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit being associated with a radio resource control (RRC) configuration that enables wireless communication between the device and the other device; A method is provided in which the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit are simultaneously implementable by a radio resource control kernel, the kernel being configured to maintain radio resource configurations associated with each of the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit upon detecting one or more radio configuration events.

[0022] In some exemplary embodiments, the method is performed by user equipment. In some exemplary embodiments, the device comprises user equipment. In some exemplary embodiments, the other device comprises a network access node.

[0023] In some demonstrative embodiments, a method includes configuring a wireless processing unit to support control plane communications between a device and another device.

[0024] In some demonstrative embodiments, the method includes configuring a further radio processing unit to support user plane communications between the device and another device.

[0025] In some exemplary embodiments, the RRC configuration includes a number of radio parameters that dictate or set how a device should behave during wireless communication in a wireless communication network.

[0026] In some demonstrative embodiments, the method includes configuring the kernel to implement a plurality of additional wireless processing units.

[0027] In some demonstrative embodiments, the method includes simultaneously implementing the plurality of further wireless processing units to support parallel wireless communication between the device and another device using at least two of the plurality of further wireless processing units.

[0028] In some demonstrative embodiments, the method includes implementing a plurality of independent further radio processing units to support parallel wireless communication between the device and another device using at least two of the plurality of further radio processing units.

[0029] In some exemplary embodiments, the method includes independently modifying an RRC configuration associated with the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit.

[0030] In some demonstrative embodiments, the method includes determining that a condition associated with use of the further wireless processing unit is satisfied and initiating a radio resource control connection setup with another device using a radio resource connection configuration associated with the further processing unit.

[0031] In some exemplary embodiments, the one or more wireless configuration events include the device exiting connected mode and entering idle mode.

[0032] In some demonstrative embodiments, the one or more radio configuration events include one or more of a radio link failure between the device and another device, a radio connection failure between the device and another device, a radio resource control (RRC) state transition, a handover, and a handover failure.

[0033] In some exemplary embodiments, the one or more wireless configuration events include an event experienced by a communication link supported by a further wireless processing unit.

[0034] In some demonstrative embodiments, if a radio configuration event is detected, the method includes selecting the radio processing unit or a further radio processing unit and initiating communication between the device and another device using an associated radio resource control (RRC) configuration that enables wireless communication between the device and the other device.

[0035] In some demonstrative embodiments, if a wireless configuration event is detected, the method includes selecting a wireless processing unit or a further wireless processing unit for communication between the device and another device and communicating an indication of the selection to the other device.

[0036] According to various, but not necessarily all, exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a computer program product is provided that, when executed by a processor on a device, is operable to control the device to perform an embodiment or further embodiments.

[0037] According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments, there is provided a network device configured to implement a radio resource control (RRC) configuration to support wireless communication between a device and a network device in a wireless communications network, the network device including: a radio processing unit associated with the radio resource control (RRC) configuration enabling wireless communication between the device and the network device; and a further radio processing unit associated with the radio resource control (RRC) configuration supporting wireless communication between the device and the network device, the radio resource control kernel configured to implement the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit, wherein the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit are concurrently implementable by the radio resource control kernel; if the device includes the radio resource control kernel, store an indication of a radio resource configuration associated with each of the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit; and maintain the indication of the radio resource configuration associated with each of the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit upon detecting one or more radio configuration events.

[0038] In some exemplary embodiments, the device comprises user equipment, hi some exemplary embodiments, the other device comprises a network access node.

[0039] In some exemplary embodiments, the wireless processing unit is configured to support control plane communications between the device and another device.

[0040] In some exemplary embodiments, the further radio processing unit is configured to support user plane communications between the device and another device.

[0041] In some example embodiments, a network device is configured to determine the capabilities of the device by requesting an indication of kernel capabilities.

[0042] In some example embodiments, the indication of the kernel capabilities includes a kernel version number.

[0043] In some exemplary embodiments, the network device is configured to transmit to the device an indication of a default radio resource control (RRC) configuration that enables wireless communication between the device and the network device for the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit.

[0044] In some exemplary embodiments, a network device is configured to store an indication of a default radio resource control (RRC) configuration for a radio processing unit and a further radio processing unit associated with the device.

[0045] In some demonstrative embodiments, the network device is configured to receive a connection request from the device, the connection request including an indication of a wireless processing unit or a further wireless processing unit to be used for communicating between the device and the network device.

[0046] In some exemplary embodiments, the network device is configured to update a radio resource control (RRC) configuration associated with the radio processing unit or the further radio processing unit.

[0047] In some exemplary embodiments, the network device is configured to update a radio resource control (RRC) configuration associated with the radio processing unit or the further radio processing unit in response to an indication of a radio link failure associated with the radio processing unit or the further radio processing unit.

[0048] According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments, there is provided a method of implementing a radio resource control (RRC) configuration in a network device to support wireless communication between the device and a network device in a wireless communications network, the method including: determining whether the device includes a radio processing unit associated with the radio resource control (RRC) configuration enabling wireless communication between the device and the network device, and a further radio processing unit associated with the radio resource control (RRC) configuration supporting wireless communication between the device and the network device, the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit being concurrently implementable by the radio resource control kernel; if the device includes the radio resource control kernel, storing an indication of a radio resource configuration associated with each of the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit; and, upon detecting one or more radio configuration events, maintaining the indication of the radio resource configuration associated with each of the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit.

[0049] In some exemplary embodiments, the method is performed by a network node. In some exemplary embodiments, the device comprises user equipment. In some exemplary embodiments, the other device comprises a network access node.

[0050] In some demonstrative embodiments, a method includes configuring a wireless processing unit to support control plane communications between a device and another device.

[0051] In some demonstrative embodiments, the method includes configuring a further radio processing unit to support user plane communications between the device and another device.

[0052] In some example embodiments, a method includes configuring a network device to determine device capabilities by requesting an indication of a kernel capability.

[0053] In some example embodiments, the indication of the kernel capabilities includes a kernel version number.

[0054] In some demonstrative embodiments, the method includes configuring the network device to transmit to the device an indication of a default radio resource control (RRC) configuration, the indication being for the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit, enabling wireless communication between the device and the network device.

[0055] In some demonstrative embodiments, the method includes configuring a network device to store an indication of a default radio resource control (RRC) configuration for a radio processing unit and a further radio processing unit associated with the device.

[0056] In some demonstrative embodiments, the method includes configuring a network device to receive a connection request from the device, the connection request including an indication of a wireless processing unit or a further wireless processing unit to be used to communicate between the device and the network device.

[0057] In some exemplary embodiments, the method includes configuring the network device to update a radio resource control (RRC) configuration associated with the radio processing unit or the further radio processing unit.

[0058] In some demonstrative embodiments, the method includes configuring the network device to update a radio resource control (RRC) configuration associated with the radio processing unit or the further radio processing unit in response to an indication of a radio link failure associated with the radio processing unit or the further radio processing unit.

[0059] According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments of the present invention, a computer program product is provided that, when executed by a processor on the device, is operable to control a network device to perform an embodiment or further embodiments. According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments, a device configured to implement a radio resource control (RRC) configuration to support wireless communication between the device and another device in a wireless communications network, the device comprising: circuitry configured to provide the device with a radio resource control kernel and to configure the kernel to implement a radio processing unit and a further radio processing unit, the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit being associated with a radio resource control (RRC) configuration enabling wireless communication between the device and the other device, the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit being concurrently implementable by the radio resource control kernel, and the kernel configured to maintain a radio resource configuration associated with each of the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit upon detecting one or more radio configuration events.

[0060] According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory containing computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, using the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to at least implement a radio resource control (RRC) configuration to support wireless communication between the device and another device in a wireless communications network; and to provide the device with a radio resource control kernel and configure the kernel to implement a radio processing unit and a further radio processing unit, the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit being associated with a radio resource control (RRC) configuration that enables wireless communication between the device and the other device, the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit being concurrently implementable by the radio resource control kernel, and the kernel configured to maintain radio resource configurations associated with each of the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit upon detecting one or more radio configuration events.

[0061] According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments, there is provided a network device configured to implement a radio resource control (RRC) configuration to support wireless communication between a device and a network device in a wireless communications network, the network device comprising: circuitry configured to: determine whether the device includes a radio processing unit associated with the radio resource control (RRC) configuration enabling wireless communication between the device and the network device, and a further radio processing unit associated with the radio resource control (RRC) configuration supporting wireless communication between the device and the network device, the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit being concurrently implementable by the radio resource control kernel; if the device includes the radio resource control kernel, store an indication of a radio resource configuration associated with each of the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit; and, upon detecting one or more radio configuration events, maintain the indication of the radio resource configuration associated with each of the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit.

[0062] According to various, but not necessarily all, example embodiments, an apparatus is provided comprising at least one processor and at least one memory containing computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured, using the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to at least: implement a radio resource control (RRC) configuration at a network device to support wireless communication between the device and a network device in a wireless communications network; determine whether the device includes a radio processing unit associated with the radio resource control (RRC) configuration enabling wireless communication between the device and the network device and a further radio processing unit associated with the radio resource control (RRC) configuration supporting wireless communication between the device and the network device, the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit being concurrently implementable by the radio resource control kernel; if the device includes a radio resource control kernel, store an indication of a radio resource configuration associated with each of the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit; and, upon detecting one or more radio configuration events, maintain the indication of the radio resource configuration associated with each of the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit.

[0063] Further particular and preferred aspects are set out in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. Features of the dependent claims may be combined with features of the independent claims as appropriate in combinations other than those explicitly set out in the claims.

[0064] Where features of an apparatus are described as operable to provide a function, this should be understood to include features of an apparatus that provide that function or that are adapted or configured to provide that function.

[0065] Several exemplary embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0066] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the subject matter described herein. [Figure 2] 1A-1C are diagrams illustrating various signaling processes that may be used in exemplary embodiments of the subject matter described herein. [Figure 3] 1A-1C are diagrams illustrating various signaling processes that may be used in exemplary embodiments of the subject matter described herein. [Figure 4] 1A-1C are diagrams illustrating various signaling processes that may be used in exemplary embodiments of the subject matter described herein. [Figure 5] 1A-1C are diagrams illustrating various signaling processes that may be used in exemplary embodiments of the subject matter described herein. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a feature matrix that may be used to exchange information with a network about features supported by devices having capabilities consistent with the subject matter described herein. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 illustrates an apparatus in a communication system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 8] 4 is a flow diagram illustrating method steps performed in a network node, according to some example embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0067] Cellular wireless communication systems are built on protocols that control how data is transmitted between user equipment in the system and the nodes that form the system's operator network. The protocols are often divided into a user plane (UP) and a control plane (CP). Typically, user plane protocols are responsible for transmitting data between user equipment and the nodes that form the network. Control plane protocols are typically responsible for ensuring that the user plane is operational. That is, the CP is used to establish the UP, and enabling the functionality of the UP is the primary purpose of the CP.

[0068] The main protocol for CP in UMTS / LTE / NR is Radio Resource Control (RRC), the specifications of which can be found in TS 25.331 (UMTS), TS 36.331 (LTE), and TS 38.331 (NR), respectively. The RRC specifications define mechanisms for setting up a connection between a user equipment (UE) and the network, for establishing the user and control plane protocol layers, and for reconfiguring the parameters of such protocol layers, as well as various procedures intended to keep both the UP and CP operational.

[0069] Establishment of an initial connection between a UE and a network can be based on the UE receiving a network System Information (SI) message, which is typically transmitted by the network as a System Information Block (SIB). The SI transmitted within the network informs the UE of network-related information, including information on how to connect to the network. Establishment of a connection to the network can also be based on the UE's capabilities, which the UE may indicate to the network when the UE initially connects to the network. Such an exchange of information enables establishment of an appropriate connection and supports UE operation based on the UE's capabilities.

[0070] Establishing a connection requires common knowledge of a "starting configuration" (sometimes called a "default configuration," but referred to here as a "fixed configuration" format), which determines the "default" configuration parameters that all UEs apply in the absence of any other information (e.g., SI). This configuration is static, i.e., it is specified in the RRC specifications and cannot be changed. When a UE first initiates a connection, the network knows that the UE configuration is based on the fixed configuration and can use that knowledge to signal only values ​​that differ from the fixed configuration when providing the RRC configuration. This is called delta signaling, and the network minimizes signaling overhead by providing only values ​​that differ from the UE's stored configuration.

[0071] UMTS allows the use of various fixed configurations, as detailed in Clause 13.7 of TS 25.331. These can be referenced according to an identity number, but all are still fixed in the TS 25.331 specification. While providing multiple fixed configurations had the potential to provide greater compatibility and reduce signaling overhead, in practice it caused problems due to errors in some specification versions that prevented the use of such configurations. To avoid such errors, LTE adopted a single, very "lean" fixed configuration, as detailed in Clause 9 of TS 36.331, and NR adopted an approach very similar to the lean version of LTE, as described in Clause 9 of TS 38.331.

[0072] In a network using Long Term Evolution (LTE) defined by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), a user equipment (UE) can operate in CONNECTED mode, INACTIVE mode, or IDLE mode. In CONNECTED mode, the UE exchanges data with the network, and when the UE is in IDLE mode, it monitors various information and messages sent from the network. In INACTIVE mode, the UE operates as if it were in IDLE mode, but stores the configuration provided by the network. In CONNECTED mode, a protocol called Radio Resource Control (RRC) is used. Whenever the UE enters CONNECTED mode and connects to the network to perform wireless communication, the network operates to send control messages to the UE (control plane communication). Control plane interactions include RRC configurations used by the UE to establish and maintain communication with the network. The RRC configurations include multiple radio parameters that the UE is instructed to apply in wireless communication with the network.

[0073] When a user equipment is in CONNECTED mode, the RRC configuration is maintained with the network. Some of the RRC configuration may include static RRC-related radio parameters applicable to most user equipment operating in the network, while some parameters may be relevant to a specific user equipment. Such dedicated RRC configuration parameters may be transmitted to a specific user equipment, for example, at RRC reconfiguration or at RRC connection setup, when the user equipment switches from IDLE mode to CONNECTED mode.

[0074] Such configuration messages may be quite large, containing a substantial amount of information elements that consume radio resources when communicated to the user equipment. This may also require the use of multiple messages by the network to transmit the configuration to the user equipment, which may cause delays as all of the messages may need to be received by the UE before the entire configuration can be applied.

[0075] As a result, network capacity and performance related to pure data communication (in the user plane) can be significantly impaired due to the need to communicate appropriate RRC configurations to user equipment (in the control plane), which can require significant bandwidth usage. User plane operations are inherently tied to the RRC configuration, which sets all radio connection parameters, including those for the user plane. The configuration is one monolithic "chunk" and is verified "all-inclusive and all-at-once." That is, the entire configuration must be applied as soon as it is received by the UE. If there is an error in any part, the entire configuration typically fails. This means that as more features are introduced with each 3GPP release, the size of the RRC configuration typically increases. This makes RRC scalability worse with each feature addition. Implementing RRC configurations in known ways does not provide real scalability or flexibility. For example, the single-block configuration does not support any dynamic control of the amount of resources used to support power-saving operation. Therefore, implementation of a standard monolithic RRC configuration may limit various aspects of network operation, for example causing bottlenecks in connection robustness and difficulties in user plane scalability.

[0076] Furthermore, RRC failure mechanisms in cellular systems are rudimentary. When most RRC errors occur, the UE assumes that a radio link failure (RLF) has occurred, discards most of its RRC configuration, and partially falls back to a "fixed" RRC configuration defined in the specification. To resume communication with the network, the UE triggers a re-establishment procedure. This procedure may require the network to re-signal the entire UE configuration using only the (default) fixed configuration as a reference point, which may require large RRC messages to be transmitted. Invoking a re-establishment procedure takes time and signaling resources. RRC errors also occur occasionally in any wireless communication network, resulting in system inefficiencies in all UMTS / E-UTRA / NR systems (i.e., whether 3G / 4G / 5G).

[0077] The arrangements and methodologies described herein seek to provide alternative ways to support wireless communications within a radio access network. Before describing exemplary embodiments in further detail, an overview will first be provided.

[0078] In particular, the arrangement provides a user device configured to implement a radio resource control (RRC) configuration to support wireless communication between the device and another device in a wireless communication network. The user device includes a radio resource control kernel configured to implement a radio processing unit. The radio processing unit is associated with a radio resource control (RRC) configuration that enables wireless communication between the device and another device. The device includes a further radio processing unit, the further radio processing unit being associated with a radio resource control (RRC) configuration that supports wireless communication between the device and another device. The radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit are simultaneously implementable by the radio resource control kernel. The radio resource configurations associated with each of the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit are maintained by the radio resource control kernel upon detecting one or more radio configuration events.

[0079] Similarly, on the network side, the arrangement provides a network device configured to implement radio resource control (RRC) configuration to support wireless communication between a user device and a network device in a wireless communications network. The network device includes radio resource control circuitry configured to determine whether the device includes a radio resource control kernel as presented above. If the network device determines that the device has such capability, the network device is operative to store an indication of a radio resource configuration associated with each of the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit, and to maintain the indication of the radio resource configuration associated with each of the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit upon detecting one or more radio configuration events.

[0080] The arrangement provides a scalable protocol architecture in which a UE supports an "RRC Kernel" (RK) entity and one or more user plane "Radio Processing Unit" (RPU) entities. The RK entity is configured to handle control plane operations, and the RPU is configured to handle user plane operations. Because the RK still requires the user plane, the RPU may also be configured for RK operations.

[0081] By convention, the RK entity configures the RPU, and the RK entity maintains the RPU configuration, whereby the RPU configuration is stored by the UE even when the RPU is not configured for operation in RRC_CONNECTED mode. The RK may also configure one or more RPUs for operation in RRC_INACTIVE or RRC_IDLE mode. In CONNECTED, at least one RPU is always configured to allow sending messages related to RK operations.

[0082] If an RPU fails, the UE may fall back to using the stored RK configuration for the RPU and indicate to the network that it is using the RK configuration for the RPU. Thus, ensuring that both the UE and the network are aware that the indicated RPU uses the "fallback" RK configuration. If all RPUs fail, the UE will fall back to the RK configuration for the CP only and use it to attempt to re-establish the connection.

[0083] The arrangement supports scalable operation by providing more than one RPU. There are arrangements such that user plane operation can be scaled by adding additional RPUs to the configuration.

[0084] Additionally, mechanisms are considered whereby the UE and network by agreement have the ability to support an "always on" configuration, rather than the need to start from scratch in the event of a link failure. This capability supports fallback to basic RPU operation using a stored RK configuration in the event that an error causes the RPU configuration to fail or be discarded.

[0085] There may be an arrangement whereby RPUs may rely on the same radio resources, but where overlap between the protocols, actual hardware, and configuration of each RPU is minimized to ensure that RPUs can be added and removed without disrupting other RPUs. Employing such a "fault-tolerant" implementation allows for fine granularity that can be useful in isolating faults. In other words, a failure of an RPU can be localized and may not have a catastrophic impact on other RPUs.

[0086] 1 illustrates an example embodiment of the subject matter described herein. A user equipment in a wireless communication network by arrangement is provided with an RRC kernel (RK) entity 100. The RRC kernel supports one radio processing unit (RPU) 200 or multiple radio processing units (RPUs) 300, each of which is mapped to an RRC configuration that supports communication or establishment of communication with network nodes of the wireless communication network.

[0087] The operation of the RK is described in more detail below.

[0088] According to common arrangements, a UE may have one "RRC kernel" 100 configuration. When initially registering or establishing communication with the network, the UE starts with a fixed-wireless configuration, consistent with the fixed-wireless configuration currently set by the standard. After initial registration, the network provides the UE with one or more stored RRC configurations for use by the UE even in the event of an RRC connection failure. These RRC configurations are each represented by a radio processing unit (RPU) 300 and are initialized by the RRC kernel 100 running the radio processing unit 200. Some arrangements provide for the RK to be standalone and attached to the UP RPU. Other arrangements provide for a separate RPU for the CP and an additional UP RPU.

[0089] The RRC configuration stored by the UE includes at least one RPU configuration that can be used in several RRC states. The RRC configuration associated with each RPU may optionally include an indication of one or more radio bearer configurations, radio protocol configurations (e.g., RLC mode, SN length), and similar configuration information. The configuration information associated with each RPU 300 may be stored and remain available for selection while the UE is registered with the network, including when the UE changes RRC states.

[0090] According to some arrangements, the RK 100 is always associated with at least one kernel RPU 200, known as RPU(0), and is always operable through the associated RPU 200. The RK 100 operates such that it is configured to fall back to one of the stored configurations associated with the RPU 200 or the RPU 300 in the event of an RRC failure, such as a radio link failure (RLF) or handover failure (HOF). In other words, if the RK stores an RRC configuration, the RPU allows UP or CP transmission, and the RPU fails, the UE is configured to fall back to the RK configuration for that RPU. The fallback configuration may include the kernel RPU (RPU(0)) 200. The RK may flush the current configuration and retain or fall back to the RRC configuration saved by the UE without the need to initiate an RRC re-establishment procedure. This approach may support network-wide robustness.

[0091] In other words, a UE having an RK 100 with an associated RPU 200, 300 is configured to maintain at least one RRC configuration and fall back to that RRC configuration after a radio link failure. According to some arrangements, a UK including an RK 100 with associated functionality may be configured to indicate to the network which of the possible maintained RRC configurations is selected for use. It should be understood that the indication may take various forms, such as an RK version number, a specific identifier of a stored RK configuration, or a specific message or message type associated with the RK. If necessary, the network may then perform appropriate RRC signaling, such as delta signaling based on the stored RK configuration, using the identified stored RK configuration as needed.

[0092] According to some embodiments, an RK may have an associated version number. The RK version number may indicate specified capabilities supported by the RK. The version number may indicate, for example, a default number of RPUs supported by the RK. The version number may indicate the RRC configuration supported by each RPU associated with the RK.

[0093] According to some embodiments, each RPU supported by an RK is configured by the RK. The RK configures the RPU to handle user plane transmissions, including encapsulation of control plane messaging, for the UE. This operation is similar to NR RRC configuration, for example, for protocol layers (e.g., SDAP, PDCP, RLC, MAC, PHY).

[0094] According to an embodiment, while the UE is in the RRC_CONNECTED state, the UE always has at least one RPU configured by the RK for operation. When the UE falls back to RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE, the RPU configured for use in the RRC_CONNECTED state may be released, and the RPU may fall back using the RK to set a stored or default RPU configuration.

[0095] According to some embodiments, an RPU may be configured to handle one or more serving cells. According to some embodiments, an RPU may be configured to handle one or more configured features (e.g., one or more MIMO layers).

[0096] An embodiment may be such that a UE always has at least one RK and at least one RPU, and an RK may have at least one stored RPU configuration.

[0097] The schematic diagram of FIG. 1 assumes that the same RPU, RPU(0) 200, is always associated with the RK 100. However, according to alternative embodiments, the RPU used in supporting RK operation may be changed to support a kernel configuration or an updated version of the kernel configuration. Such a change may be implemented, for example, while the UE is operating in the RRC_CONNECTED state, e.g., by configuration. As a result, it should be understood that the RPU used to transmit control plane messages may be freely switched depending on the implementation choice.

[0098] Generally, the configuration according to the present disclosure enables a device, e.g., a UE, to be provided with a radio kernel (RK) entity. The RK can be configured to receive and store one or more radio processing unit (RPU) configurations. According to the arrangement, the radio processing unit (RPU) configurations supported by the RRC kernel include user plane configurations that enable data exchange between user equipment and network nodes. In other words, each RPU is a user plane configuration that supports transmitting data to and / or receiving data from network nodes and user equipment in a wireless communication network.

[0099] The RK and associated RPU configurations in the UE may be stored even when a configured radio protocol event occurs. When such an event occurs, the configuration may be arranged such that the device selects one of the stored RPU configurations and transmits an indication of which stored RPU configuration is applied to a second device, such as a network node. The configured radio protocol events for which the RK and associated RPU may provide particular utility to the UE and the network may include one or more of a handover, a handover failure, an RRC state transition, a radio link failure, or a radio connection failure.

[0100] Consider the following possible representation, where a UE in a network supports one RK with eight associated RPUs, as shown in the table below: [Table 1]

[0101] During factory manufacturing, a UE device may be configured to support V1.0 of the RRC kernel and eight associated radio processing units. Upon attachment to a communication network, the default kernel configuration may be changed to V1.2, and RPU0 may be configured to handle both idle and small data transmissions as well as "default" transmissions used to recover from error cases (see, for example, the signaling in Figure 4). For services requiring higher throughput, RPU0 may be switched to CONNECTED, and additional RPUs may be activated for possible data transmission. In the example shown in the table above, RPUs that are ready to transmit but not yet transmitting are indicated as being in STANDBY, and RPUs that are actively engaged in data transmission are indicated as being CONNECTED. The higher the maximum bit rate required to support user plane operations, the higher the number of total RPUs in use. Since an RPU in standby mode saves more power but also increases latency when going to connected mode, the ratio between RPUs in connected and RPUs in standby can be changed by the network depending on the desired balance between power saving and latency. According to the arrangements and methods described in more detail, as long as any of the configured RPUs remains in either standby mode or connected mode, a total radio link failure does not need to be triggered by the UE and some communication can be maintained between the UE and the network.

[0102] 2 to 5 are signalling diagrams that illustrate, in outline, different ways in which negotiations can be implemented.

[0103] FIG. 2 is a signaling diagram illustrating the main steps of one possible implementation for initially initializing and configuring the RRC kernel and associated radio processing units provided in user equipment of a wireless communications network.

[0104] FIG. 2 shows the initiation signaling arrangement between the user equipment 10 and the network 20. S1: The UE 10 is powered on and operates using a fixed configuration set in the standard, along with System Information Block (SIB) information. S2: Based on the information determined in S1 and the fixed configuration, the UE 10 and the network 20 exchange information over the radio link. The UE and the network perform an RRC connection setup procedure to register with the network. S3: The UE 10 establishes a communication link with the network 20 in the RRC_CONNECTED state. S4: Upon establishing an RRC_CONNECTED link with the UE 10, the network 20 operates to send information to the UE 10 to enable the UE to establish and store an RRC kernel configuration. S5: The network may release the RRC connection. S6: The UE 10 is configured to maintain the stored RRC kernel configuration set by the network 20 even when not in the RRC_CONNECTED state. S7: The UE 10 may be in RRC_IDLE mode using the stored RRC kernel configuration. S8: When the UE needs to transition to a more connected state to operate, the UE 10 by arrangement is configured to perform an RRC connection setup using the stored RRC kernel configuration. S9: The network 20 has received the UE connection request and uses the stored RRC kernel configuration associated with the UE 10 to set up the connection. S10: The UE 10 then operates in connected mode using the stored RRC kernel configuration.

[0105] As a result of these steps S1 to S10, a communication link can be established between the UE 10 and the network 20 in combination with the information obtained from the system information block (required for initialization in steps S1 to S3) without the need to fall back to a fixed configuration set in the standard.

[0106] S11: The network may adapt or reconfigure the RRC kernel configuration associated with the UE 10. Both the network 20 and the UE 10 may then operate to store the reconfiguration. The reconfiguration may occur while the UE 10 is in connected mode. S12: The RRC connection between the UE 10 and the network 20 may be released. S13: The UE 10 may be in RRC_IDLE mode using the stored updated RRC kernel configuration.

[0107] FIG. 3 is a signaling diagram illustrating the main steps of one possible implementation in which a UE 10 having an RRC kernel and associated radio processing unit, for example configured according to FIG. 2, experiences a radio link failure.

[0108] FIG. 3 shows the negotiated signaling between the user equipment 10 and the network 20 in case of an RRC connection failure.

[0109] F1: The UE 10 has established a communication link with the network 20 and is operating in an RRC_CONNECTED state using one or more RPUs of a stored RRC kernel configuration. F2: An RRC failure, such as a radio link failure (RLF), a handover failure (HOF), or a reconfiguration error occurs, causing one or more RPUs to fail. F3: The UE is operable to detect an RPU failure and to apply a stored RRC kernel configuration rather than initiating a radio link re-establishment from first principles (steps S1-S3 of Figure 2). F4: The UE 10 operates to initiate an RRC connection re-establishment based on the stored RRC kernel configuration. As part of the re-establishment procedure, the UE 10 is configured to indicate to the network 20 the RRC kernel configuration to be used. F5: The network 20 receives an RRC re-establishment request from the UE 10, notes the index of the RRC kernel configuration to be used and the stored RRC kernel configuration associated with the UE 10, and operates to set up the connection using the appropriate stored RRC kernel configuration. F6: The UE 10 may then communicate with the network 20 in connected mode using the stored RRC kernel configuration.

[0110] FIG. 4 is a signaling diagram illustrating the main steps of one possible implementation in which a UE 10 having an RRC kernel and associated radio processing unit, for example configured according to FIG. 2, experiences an RPU failure.

[0111] FIG. 4 shows the negotiated signaling between the user equipment 10 and the network 20 in case of an RPU connection failure.

[0112] R1: The UE 10 has established a communication link with the network 20 and is operating in RRC_CONNECTED state using one or more RPUs of a stored RRC kernel configuration. R2: The UE 10 is configured with an RRC kernel with associated radio processing unit RPU0, along with two further RPUs, namely RPU1 and RPU2. In step R2, the RPUs have been reconfigured by the network 20 and the UE 10. R3: An RRC failure occurs, e.g., a conditional reconfiguration error occurs, causing an RPU2 failure. R4: The UE 10 is operable to detect an RPU2 failure and initiate RPU recovery via RPU0. R5: The UE 10 initiates RPU recovery using RPU0 and sends an error trace indication to the network 20. R6: The network can process RPU recovery based on information provided by the UE 10, and in the example shown, the network is configured to provide an alternative RPU2 configuration to the UE 10. R7: The network 20 sends an RPU reconfiguration to the UE 10. The provided reconfiguration relates to the updated RPU2 configuration. R8: The UE 10 operates in connected mode using the stored and updated RRC kernel configuration.

[0113] In other words, according to some implementations of the arrangement, a failure of RPU2 may not result in a complete failure of user plane operations. UE 10 is configured to continue operation using RPU0 and RPU1 even when RPU2 fails. By continuing operation in connected mode using RPU0 and RPU1, the adaptation and eventual reintroduction of operation of RPU2 was supported.

[0114] The reconfiguration failure of the RPU shown in Figure 4 (e.g., a conditional RRC reconfiguration execution error during activation of a stored configuration or a normal reconfiguration error) does not require an RRC re-establishment procedure by the UE 10, and the embodiment supports a way in which the UE 10 may report the failure to the network 20. The network 20 supports an operation in which a failed RPU can be restarted by providing an updated (re)configuration of that RPU to one that both the network 20 and the UE 10 know to be stored. In Figure 4, the UE 10 and the network 20 are configured to use RPU0 (fallback) to recover from the error experienced by RPU2.

[0115] FIG. 5 is a signalling diagram illustrating the main steps of one possible implementation by which a UE 10 having RRC kernel capabilities and associated radio processing unit capabilities may indicate its capabilities to the network.

[0116] FIG. 5 illustrates signaling by configuration between the user equipment 10 and the network 20 in support of the RRC kernel and RPU capability discovery. C1: The UE 10 is powered on and operates using a fixed configuration set in the standard, along with System Information Block (SIB) information. C2: Based on the information determined in S1 and the fixed configuration, the UE 10 and the network 20 exchange information over the radio link. The UE and the network perform an RRC connection setup procedure to register with the network. C3: The UE 10 has established a communication link with the network 20 in the RRC_CONNECTED state. C4: The network 20 may query the UE 10 to provide information about the RK and RPU capabilities. C5: The UE 10 compiles or accesses a matrix of RPU capabilities and combinations that can be supported by the UE. C6: The UE 10 reports the allowed RPU capabilities and combinations to the network 20. C7: The network 20 is configured to store the RPU capabilities and combinations associated with the UE 10 and use the information when configuring the RPU associated with that UE 10.

[0117] 5 illustrates a signaling procedure of the network 20 when obtaining an indication of the UE's 10 capabilities associated with its RPUs. The UE 10 may advertise such RPU capabilities based on a received filter that allows the UE to filter out the reported capabilities accordingly. As an example, the UE 10 may report RPU capabilities in a matrix format. The matrix format allows reporting of capabilities per RPU in a first dimension and supports reporting of allowed RPU combinations using a second dimension.

[0118] Figure 6 shows a schematic diagram of one possible construction of a feature matrix for reporting RPU 200, 300 capabilities to the network. To function as an RPU, there are mandatory RPU capabilities 1000. In addition to those capabilities, each RPU may have extended RPU capabilities 2000. These capabilities may be shown in a matrix 3000, along with the permissible combinations of feature sets across the RPUs. The capabilities 2000 supported by the RPU 200, 300 may include, for example, MIMO capabilities, carrier aggregation levels in the downlink or uplink, etc.

[0119]

[0071] Figure 7 illustrates devices in a communications system according to an example embodiment. In particular, Figure 7 illustrates a wireless communications network 7000 in which a network node 7020 is configured to communicate with a user equipment 7010. The user equipment and network are configured to implement a radio resource control (RRC) configuration to support wireless communications between the user equipment 7010 and a network node in the wireless communications network. The user equipment 7010 according to one example embodiment may include a radio resource control kernel 7030 configured to implement a radio processing unit 7040 associated with a radio resource control (RRC) configuration that enables wireless communications between the user equipment and another network access node, and a further radio processing unit 7050 associated with a radio resource control (RRC) configuration that supports wireless communications between the user equipment and the network node. In the illustrated example, the radio processing unit 7040 and the further radio processing unit 7050 are simultaneously implemented by the radio resource control kernel 7030, and upon detecting one or more radio configuration events, the radio resource configurations associated with each of the radio processing unit 7040 and the further radio processing unit 7050 are maintained by the radio resource control kernel.

[0120] The network access node 7020, e.g., a base station, may include a radio resource control circuit 7060 configured to determine whether the user equipment 7010 has radio resource control capability as described above, and if so, the circuit 7060 may be configured to store an indication of a radio resource configuration associated with each of the radio processing unit 7040 and the further radio processing unit 7050, and to maintain the indication of the radio resource configuration associated with each of the radio processing unit 7040 and the further radio processing unit 7050 upon detecting one or more radio configuration events.

[0121] FIG. 8 shows a flow chart illustrating steps of a method performed in a network node according to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG.

[0122] In particular, the user equipment 7010 may be configured to perform the following steps: Z100: Providing a radio resource control kernel configured to implement a radio processing unit, the radio processing unit associated with a radio resource control (RRC) configuration that enables wireless communication between a user equipment and another network access node, and a further radio processing unit, the further radio processing unit associated with a radio resource control (RRC) configuration that supports wireless communication between the user equipment and the network node. Z200: Simultaneously implementing the wireless processing unit and the further wireless processing unit. Z300: Upon detecting one or more radio configuration events, maintaining or storing a radio resource configuration associated with each of the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit.

[0123] Similarly, the base station 7020 may be configured to perform the following steps. Y100: Determining whether the user equipment 7010 has radio resource control capability as described above. If so, Y200: Storing an indication of a radio resource configuration associated with each of the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit. Y300: Upon detecting one or more radio configuration events, maintaining an indication of a radio resource configuration associated with each of the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit.

[0124] Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the steps of the various above-described methods can be performed by a programmed computer. Some embodiments herein are also intended to encompass a program storage device, e.g., a digital data storage medium, which is machine- or computer-readable and encodes a machine-executable or computer-executable program of instructions, which perform some or all of the above-described method steps. The program storage device may be, for example, a digital memory, a magnetic storage medium such as a magnetic disk or magnetic tape, a hard drive, or an optically readable digital data storage medium. Embodiments are also intended to encompass a computer programmed to perform the above-described method steps. The term non-transitory, as used herein, is not a limitation to data storage permanence (e.g., RAM vs. ROM), but rather a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not a signal).

[0125] The term "circuitry" as used in this application may refer to one or more, or all, of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (e.g., implementations with only analog and / or digital circuitry); and (b) combinations of hardware circuitry and software, e.g., (where applicable) (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuitry and software / firmware; (ii) Any portion of a hardware processor with software (including a digital signal processor), software, and memory that cooperates to cause a device, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions. (c) a processor, such as a microprocessor or part of a microprocessor, that requires hardware circuitry and / or software (e.g., firmware) to operate, but the software may be absent when not necessary for operation;

[0126] This definition of circuit applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, the term circuit as used in this application also encompasses a simple hardware circuit or processor(s), or portion of a hardware circuit or processor, and its(their) accompanying software and / or firmware implementations. The term circuit also encompasses, for example, and where applicable to particular claim elements, a baseband or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device, or similar integrated circuit in a server, cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0127] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be understood that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed.

[0128] Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than those expressly described.

[0129] Although functions are described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performed by other features, whether or not described.

[0130] Although features are described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may be present in other embodiments whether or not described.

[0131] Although the foregoing specification has attempted to draw attention to features of the invention which are considered to be particularly important, it will be understood that applicant claims protection for any patentable feature or combination of features described above and / or shown in the drawings, whether or not specifically emphasized.

Claims

1. 1. A device configured to implement a radio resource control (RRC) configuration to support wireless communication between the device and another device in a wireless communication network, the device comprising: a radio processing unit associated with a radio resource control (RRC) configuration for enabling wireless communication between the device and the other device; a further radio processing unit associated with a radio resource control (RRC) configuration supporting wireless communication between the device and the other device; a radio resource control kernel configured to implement 11. A device, comprising: a radio processing unit and a further radio processing unit, the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit being concurrently executable by the radio resource control kernel; and, upon detecting one or more radio configuration events, the radio resource configurations associated with each of the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit being maintained by the radio resource control kernel.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device comprises user equipment and the other device comprises a network access node.

3. The device of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the wireless processing unit is configured to support control plane communications between the device and the other device.

4. The device of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the further radio processing unit is configured to support user plane communications between the device and the further device.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the RRC configuration includes a plurality of radio parameters that instruct how the device should behave during radio communication in the wireless communication network.

6. The device of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the kernel is configured to implement a plurality of further radio processing units.

7. 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the plurality of further wireless processing units are simultaneously operable to support parallel wireless communications between the device and the other device using at least two of the plurality of further wireless processing units.

8. 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of further wireless processing units are independently operable to support parallel wireless communications between the device and the further device using at least two of the plurality of further wireless processing units.

9. The device of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the RRC configurations associated with the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit are independently modifiable.

10. 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to determine that a condition associated with the use of the further radio processing unit is met and to initiate a radio resource control connection setup with the other device using a radio resource connection configuration associated with the further processing unit.

11. The device of any preceding claim, wherein the one or more wireless configuration events include the device exiting a connected mode and entering an idle mode.

12. 12. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more radio configuration events include one or more of a radio link failure between the device and the other device, a radio connection failure between the device and the other device, a Radio Resource Control (RRC) state transition, a handover, and a handover failure.

13. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the one or more wireless configuration events comprise events experienced by a communications link supported by a further wireless processing unit.

14. 14. The device according to claim 1, wherein, when a radio configuration event is detected, the device is configured to select a radio processing unit or a further radio processing unit and to initiate communication between the device and the other device using the associated radio resource control (RRC) configuration that enables wireless communication between the device and the other device.

15. 15. A device according to any preceding claim, configured to, if a wireless configuration event is detected, select a wireless processing unit or a further wireless processing unit for communication between the device and the other device, and to communicate an indication of the selection to the other device.

16. 1. A method of implementing a radio resource control (RRC) configuration in a device to support wireless communication between the device and another device in a wireless communication network, the method comprising: providing a radio resource control kernel in the device and configuring the kernel to implement a radio processing unit and a further radio processing unit; the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit are associated with a radio resource control (RRC) configuration that enables wireless communication between the device and the other device; 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit are simultaneously executable by the radio resource control kernel, the kernel being configured to maintain the radio resource configuration associated with each of the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit upon detecting one or more radio configuration events.

17. 1. A network device configured to implement a radio resource control (RRC) configuration to support wireless communication between a device and a network device in a wireless communication network, the network device comprising: a radio processing unit associated with a radio resource control (RRC) configuration for enabling wireless communication between the device and the network device; and a further radio processing unit associated with a radio resource control (RRC) configuration supporting wireless communication between the device and the network device, simultaneously executable by the radio resource control kernel; determining whether the device includes a radio resource control kernel configured to implement the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit; and if the device includes the radio resource control kernel, storing an indication of the radio resource configuration associated with each of the wireless processing unit and the further wireless processing unit, and upon detecting one or more radio configuration events, maintaining the indication of the radio resource configuration associated with each of the wireless processing unit and the further wireless processing unit; A network device comprising: a radio resource control circuit configured to:

18. 20. The network device of claim 17, wherein the network device is configured to determine the capabilities of the device by requesting an indication of kernel capabilities.

19. 19. A network device according to claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the network device is configured to transmit to the device an indication of a default radio resource control (RRC) configuration for the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit that enables wireless communication between the device and the network device.

20. 20. A network device according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the network device is configured to store an indication of the default radio resource control (RRC) configuration for the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit associated with the device.

21. 21. A network device according to any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein the network device is configured to receive a connection request from the device, the connection request including an indication of the wireless processing unit or the further wireless processing unit used for communication between the device and the network device.

22. A network device according to any one of claims 17 to 21, wherein the network device is configured to update a radio resource control (RRC) configuration associated with the radio processing unit or the further radio processing unit.

23. 23. A network device according to any one of claims 17 to 22, wherein the network device is configured to update a radio resource control (RRC) configuration associated with the radio processing unit or the further radio processing unit in response to an indication of a radio link failure associated with the radio processing unit or the further radio processing unit.

24. 1. A method of implementing radio resource control (RRC) configuration at a network device to support wireless communication between the device and a network device in a wireless communication network, comprising: a radio processing unit associated with a radio resource control (RRC) configuration for enabling wireless communication between the device and the network device; and a further radio processing unit associated with a radio resource control (RRC) configuration supporting wireless communication between the device and the network device, simultaneously executable by the radio resource control kernel; determining whether the device includes a radio resource control kernel configured to implement the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit; and if the device includes the radio resource control kernel, storing an indication of the radio resource configuration associated with each of the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit; upon detecting one or more radio configuration events, maintaining the indication of the radio resource configuration associated with each of the radio processing unit and the further radio processing unit; A method comprising:

25. A computer program product operable to perform the method of claim 16 or claim 24 when executed on a computer.

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