Optimization of dual-connectivity between user equipment and radio access networks

Abstract

Aspects relate to establishing connectivity between multiple communication devices (e.g., a user equipment and on or more network nodes). A user equipment receives compatibility information from a network node. Compatibility information can indicate compatibility between two different network nodes for supporting dual connectivity. Cell groups may be associated with each network node or multiple network nodes. A user equipment may select one or more cell groups associated with one or more network nodes as indicated by compatibility information. Based on the selection of cell groups, dual connectivity is established via different wireless connections between user equipment and two network nodes over the selected cell groups. Other aspects, features, and embodiments are also claimed and described.

Description

[0001] OPTIMIZATION OF DUAL-CONNECTIVITY BETWEEN USER EQUIPMENT AND RADIO ACCESS NETWORKS

[0002] Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[0003]

[0001] This Patent Application claims priority to India Patent Application No. 202541021146, filed on March 08, 2025, entitled “OPTIMIZATION OF DUAL-CONNECTIVITY BETWEEN USER EQUIPMENT AND RADIO ACCESS NETWORKS,” and assigned to the assignee hereof. The disclosure of the prior Application is considered part of and is incorporated by reference into this Patent Application.

[0004] Field of the Disclosure

[0005]

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to wireless communication systems, and, more particularly, to connectivity optimization between user equipment and network nodes in open radio access networks.

[0006] Introduction

[0007]

[0003] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide a range of communication services such as telephony, data transmission, messaging, multimedia streaming, broadcasting, or the like. The wireless communication systems may enable communication between multiple users by employing various multiple-access technologies. For example, the multiple-access technologies may include Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), or the like. Examples of wireless multiple-access communication systems may include fourth-generation (4G) systems such as Long-Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) systems, or LTE-A Pro systems, fifthgeneration (5G) systems which may be referred to as New Radio (NR) systems, and sixthgeneration (6G) systems. A wireless multiple-access communication system may include one or more base stations that facilitate wireless communication for communication devices such as a User Equipment (UE).

[0008]

[0004] In the context of an Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) architecture, functions of a base station or network entity may be divided across multiple devices or components, such as the Radio Unit (RU), Distributed Unit (DU), and Centralized Unit (CU). The RU may handle the radio frequency (RF) front-end and interfacing with UEs, while the DU may support radio resource control, scheduling, and lower-layer processing. The CU may manage higher-layer protocol processing and network coordination. As network demands continue to grow, there are opportunities to optimize and enhance network connectivity, enabling more efficient utilization of network resources, improved reliability, and enhanced support for diverse use cases.

[0009] 0097-6363PCT

[0010]

[0011] Summary

[0012]

[0005] Aspects of the disclosure provide a user equipment. The user equipment may comprise one or more memories and one or more processors coupled with the one or more memories. The one or more processors may be configured to cause the user equipment to receive cell group compatibility information from a first network node and select based on the cell group compatibility information, a first cell group and a second cell group for Radio Access Network (RAN) aggregation. The first cell group may be associated with the first network node. The one or more processors may be configured to cause the user equipment to communicate via, a first wireless connection over the first cell group with the first network node and a second wireless connection over the second cell group with a second network node.

[0013]

[0006] In further aspects of the disclosure, a first network node is provided. The first network node may comprise one or more memories and one or more processors coupled with the one or more memories. The one or more processors may be configured to cause the first network node to transmit an indication to a user equipment, regarding a capability of the first network node to support RAN aggregation and communicate via a first wireless connection over the first cell group with the user equipment based on the transmitted indication. The one or more processors may be further configured to cause the first network node to select a second cell group associated with a second network node to support the RAN aggregation with the first cell group. Further, the one or more processors may be configured to cause the first network node to transmit first group compatibility information to the user equipment indicating a compatibility of the first cell group with the second cell group for the RAN aggregation, wherein, based on the first compatibility information, the user equipment and the second network node communicate via a second wireless connection over the second cell group.

[0014]

[0007] In further aspects of the disclosure, a user equipment is provided. The user equipment may comprise one or more memories and one or more processors coupled with the one or more memories. The one or more processors may be configured to cause the user equipment to communicate via a first wireless connection over a first cell group with a first network node, and receive, via the first wireless connection, cell group compatibility information from the first network node. The cell group compatibility information may indicate a compatibility between the first cell group and a second cell group for RAN aggregation. The one or more processors may be configured to cause the user equipment to communicate via a second wireless connection over the second cell group with a second network node based on the cell group compatibility information.

[0015]

[0008] In furthermore aspects of the disclosure, a first network node is provided. The first network node may comprise one or more memories and one or more processors coupled with the one or more memories. The one or more processors may be configured to cause the first network node to transmit cell group compatibility information to a user equipment, wherein the cell group 0097-6363PCT

[0016]

[0017] compatibility information indicates a compatibility of a first cell group associated with the first network node for radio access network aggregation with a second cell group associated with a second network node. The one or more processors may be further configured to cause the first network node to communicate, via a first wireless connection over the first cell group, with the user equipment based on the transmission of the cell group compatibility information, wherein based on the cell group compatibility information, the user equipment and the second network node communicate via a second wireless connection over the second cell group.

[0018]

[0009] In furthermore aspects of the disclosure, a method executed at a user equipment is provided. The method may comprise receiving cell group compatibility information from a first network node, wherein the cell group compatibility information may indicate a compatibility of a first cell group associated with the first network node for radio access network aggregation with a second cell group associated with a second network node. The method may further comprise communicating via, a first wireless connection over the first cell group with the first network node and a second wireless connection over the second cell group with the second network node.

[0019]

[0010] In furthermore aspects of the disclosure, a method executed at a first network node is provided. The method may comprise transmitting cell group compatibility information to a user equipment, wherein the cell group compatibility information may indicate a compatibility of a first cell group associated with the first network node for radio access network aggregation with a second cell group associated with a second network node. The method may further comprise communicating, via a first wireless connection over the first cell group, with the user equipment based on the transmission of the cell group compatibility information, wherein based on the cell group compatibility information, the user equipment and the second network node communicate via a second wireless connection over the second cell group.

[0020] [OH] In some aspects, the one or more processors may be further configured to cause the user equipment to receive the cell group compatibility information via at least one of an in-band message, an out-of-band message, or a radio resource control signal.

[0021]

[0012] In some aspects, the cell group compatibility information may indicate two or more cell groups that include the first cell group and the second cell group.

[0022]

[0013] In some aspects, the cell group compatibility information may further indicate the two or more cell groups, ranked in an order of priority.

[0023]

[0014] In some aspects, the cell group compatibility information may further indicate at least one of: two or more collocated frequencies associated with the two or more cell groups, two or more physical cell identities (PCIs) associated with the two or more cell groups, or two or more reference signal received power thresholds associated with the two or more cell groups.

[0024]

[0015] In some aspects, the cell group compatibility information may further indicate two or more non-collocated frequencies associated with the two or more cell groups.

[0025] 0097-6363PCT

[0026]

[0027]

[0016] In some aspects, the cell group compatibility information may further indicate whether the second cell group is in synchronization for the RAN aggregation with the first cell group.

[0028]

[0017] In some aspects, the one or more processors may be further configured to cause the user equipment to simultaneously establish the first wireless connection over the first cell group and the second wireless connection over the second cell group.

[0029]

[0018] In some aspects, the one or more processors may be further configured to cause the user equipment to sequentially establish the first wireless connection over the first cell group and the second wireless connection over the second cell group.

[0030]

[0019] In some aspects, the one or more processors may be further configured to cause the user equipment to estabfish the second wireless connection after the first wireless connection.

[0031]

[0020] In some aspects, for the sequential establishment of the first wireless connection and the second wireless connection, the one or more processors may be further configured to cause the user equipment to establish the first wireless connection over the first cell group with the first network node based on the selection of the first cell group, receive configuration data from the first network node via the first wireless connection, select the second cell group based on the configuration data and the cell group compatibility information, and establish the second wireless connection over the selected second cell group with the second network node.

[0032]

[0021] In some aspects, the configuration data may comprise at least one of a bandwidth supported by the first cell group, a count of multiple input multiple output layers associated with the first cell group, or component carrier data associated with the first cell group.

[0033]

[0022] In some aspects, the one or more processors may be further configured to cause the user equipment to detect a link failure in one of the first wireless connection or the second wireless connection, select, based on the cell group compatibility information, a third cell group for the RAN aggregation with one of the first cell group or the second cell group, and communicate based on the detected link failure, via one of the first wireless connection or the second wireless connection over the third cell group with a third network node.

[0034]

[0023] In some aspects, the one or more processors may be further configured to cause the user equipment to receive an indication of a handover from the second network node to a third network node via the second wireless connection and determine, based on the indication of the handover, whether the first network node is compatible with the third network node for the RAN aggregation. The third network node may be associated with a third cell group. Further, the determination of whether the first network node is compatible with the third network node for the RAN aggregation is based on the cell group compatibility information.

[0035]

[0024] In some aspects, based on the determination that the third network node and the first network node are incompatible for the RAN aggregation, the one or more processors may be further configured to cause the user equipment to select, based on the cell group compatibility

[0036] 0097-6363PCT

[0037]

[0038] information, a fourth cell group for the RAN aggregation with the third cell group, and communicate via the first wireless connection over the fourth cell group with a fourth network node and the second wireless connection over the third cell group with the third network node.

[0039]

[0025] In some aspects, based on the determination that the third network node and the first network node may be incompatible for the RAN aggregation, the one or more processors are further configured to cause the user equipment to transmit a notification to the first network node regarding the handover from the second network node to the third network node.

[0040]

[0026] In some aspects, the one or more processors may be further configured to cause the user equipment to instruct the first network node, based on the notification, to one of modify configuration data associated with the first wireless connection to establish compatibility between the first network node and the third network node for the RAN aggregation, or handover to a fourth network node that may be compatible with the third network node for the RAN aggregation.

[0041]

[0027] In some aspects, based on the determination that the third network node and the first network node are compatible for the RAN aggregation, the one or more processors may be further configured to cause the user equipment to communicate via the second wireless connection with the third network node over the third cell group.

[0042]

[0028] In some aspects, the one or more processors may be further configured to cause the user equipment to receive, from the first network node, an indication regarding a capability of the first network node to support the RAN aggregation, wherein the selection of the first cell group and the second cell group is further based on the reception of the indication.

[0043]

[0029] In some aspects, the reception of the indication may be prior to the reception of the cell group compatibility information.

[0044]

[0030] In some aspects, the one or more processors may be further configured to cause the first network node to transmit second group compatibility information associated with the first cell group based on the transmission of the indication to the user equipment, wherein based on the second group compatibility information, the first network node is further configured to communicate via the first wireless connection with the user equipment.

[0045]

[0031] In some aspects, the one or more processors may be further configured to cause the first network node to coordinate with the second network node, a handover of at least one of the second network node to a third network node or the first network node to a fourth network node for the RAN aggregation and indicate to the user equipment, based on the coordination with the second network node, the handover of the at least one of the first network node to the fourth network node or the second network node to the third network node. Based on the indication of the handover and the first group compatibility information, at least one of (i) the user equipment and the third network node may communicate via the second wireless connection over a third cell

[0046] 0097-6363PCT

[0047]

[0048] group, or (ii) the user equipment and the fourth network node may communicate via the first wireless connection over a fourth cell group.

[0049]

[0032] In some aspects, the one or more processors may be further configured to cause the first network node to receive a notification from the user equipment regarding a handover from the second network node to a third network node for the RAN aggregation, and instructions to one of modify configuration data associated with the first wireless connection to establish compatibility with the third network node for the RAN aggregation, or handover to a fourth network node that may be compatible with the third network node for the RAN aggregation.

[0050]

[0033] In some aspects, based on the instructions, the one or more processors may be further configured to cause the first network node to modify the configuration data associated with the first wireless connection to establish the compatibility between the first network node and the third network node for the RAN aggregation.

[0051]

[0034] In some aspects, based on the instructions, the one or more processors may be further configured to cause the first network node to handover to the fourth network node that may be compatible with the third network node for the RAN aggregation based on an incompatibility between the first network node and the fourth network node, and based on the handover to the fourth network node, the user equipment and the fourth network node may communicate via the first wireless connection over a fourth cell group.

[0052]

[0035] In some aspects, the one or more processors may be further configured to cause the user equipment to one of simultaneously or sequentially, establish the first wireless connection over the first cell group and the second wireless connection over the second cell group.

[0053] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0054]

[0036] Various aspects of the present disclosure are illustrated by way of example, and not limited by the appended figures, in which like references indicate similar elements:

[0055]

[0037] FIG. 1 is a diagram that illustrates an example of an environment, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure;

[0056]

[0038] FIG.2 is a diagram that illustrates an example of a message flow between a user equipment, a first network node, and a second network node of the environment of FIG. 1, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure;

[0057]

[0039] FIG. 3 is a diagram that illustrates an example of a message flow between the user equipment, the first network node, the second network node, and a third network node of the environment of FIG. 1, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure;

[0058]

[0040] FIG. 4 is a diagram that illustrates an example of a message flow between the user equipment, the first network node, and the second network node of the environment of FIG. 1, in accordance with further aspects of the present disclosure;

[0059] 0097-6363PCT2500520WG

[0060] 7

[0061]

[0041] FIG. 5 is a diagram that illustrates an example of a message flow between the user equipment, the first network node, the second network node, the third network node, and a fourth network node of the environment of FIG. 1, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure;

[0062]

[0042] FIGS. 6A and 6B are a diagram that illustrate an example of a message flow between the user equipment, the first network node, the second network node, the third network node, and the fourth network node of the environment of FIG. 1, in accordance with further aspects of the present disclosure;

[0063]

[0043] FIG. 7 is a diagram that illustrates a high-level flowchart of a process (e.g., a method) executed at the user equipment of the environment of FIG. 1, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure;

[0064]

[0044] FIG. 8 is a diagram that illustrates a high-level flowchart of a process (e.g., a method) executed at the first network node of the environment of FIG. 1 , in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure;

[0065]

[0045] FIG. 9 is a diagram that illustrates a high-level flowchart of a process (e.g., a method) executed at the user equipment of the environment of FIG. 1, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure;

[0066]

[0046] FIG. 10 is a diagram that illustrates a high-level flowchart of a process (e.g., a method) executed at the first network node of the environment of FIG. 1 , in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure;

[0067]

[0047] FIGS. 11 A, 1 IB, and 11C are diagrams that illustrate a detailed flowchart of a process (e.g., a method) executed at the user equipment of the environment of FIG. 1 , in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure;

[0068]

[0048] FIG. 12 is a diagram that illustrates a detailed flowchart of a process (e.g., a method) executed at the first network node of the environment of FIG. 1 , in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure;

[0069]

[0049] FIG. 13 is a diagram that illustrates an example of the user equipment of the environment of FIG. 1, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure; and

[0070]

[0050] FIG. 14 is a diagram that illustrates an example of a network node of the environment of FIG. 1, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0071] Detailed Description

[0072]

[0051] The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the concepts described herein may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be 0097-6363PCT

[0073]

[0074] practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring such concepts.

[0075]

[0052] Several aspects of the disclosure will now be presented with reference to an apparatus and method. Such apparatus and method will be described in the following detailed description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings by various blocks, modules, components, circuits, steps, processes, or the like (collectively referred to as “elements”).

[0076]

[0053] Accordingly, in one or more aspects, the functions described by elements of the disclosure may be implemented in hardware, software, or any combination thereof depending upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall apparatus. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on or encoded as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes computer storage media. Storage media may be any available media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can comprise a random-access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, other magnetic storage devices, combinations of the aforementioned types of computer-readable media, or any other medium that can be used to store computer executable code in the form of instructions or data structures that can be accessed by a computer.

[0077]

[0054] At least one of one or more processors, or any portion of any of such components, or any combination of such components may be implemented as a “processing system”. Examples of the processing system may include microprocessors, microcontrollers, graphics processing units, central processing units, application processors, digital signal processors, reduced instruction set computing processors, systems on a chip, baseband processors, field programmable gate arrays, programmable logic devices, state machines, gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured to perform the various functionality described throughout this disclosure. One or more processors in the processing system may execute software. Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software components, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executables, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

[0078]

[0055] An Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) architecture may enable the functions of a base station to be distributed across multiple devices or components. For example, a Radio Access Network (RAN) node within the O-RAN architecture may include a Radio Unit (RU) and / or a Distributed Unit (DU). The RU may focus on handling wireless communications with communication devices, such as a user equipment. On the other hand, the DU may focus on supporting the wireless communications performed by the RU.

[0079] 0097-6363PCT

[0080]

[0081]

[0056] A user equipment may include multiple stacks (e.g., protocol stacks) to establish connectivity with various RUs. Each protocol stack may include a packet data convergence protocol layer, a radio link control layer, a medium access control layer, and a physical layer. In one example, a user equipment may include two stacks to establish two independent wireless connections with two different RAN nodes for RAN aggregation. Further, the wireless connections may be associated with various radio access technologies (RATs). Examples of RATs may include 5G, 6G, or the like. To meet continuous growth of network demands, the communication over such multiple connections may be enhanced and optimized.

[0082]

[0057] Certain aspects disclosed herein provide methods, circuits, and systems that are adapted to establish connectivity between a user equipment and multiple network nodes. For example, a user equipment may receive cell group compatibility information from a first network node. The user equipment may further select based on the cell group compatibility information, a first cell group and a second cell group for Radio Access Network (RAN) aggregation. The first cell group may be associated with the first network node and the second cell group may be associated with a second network node. The user equipment may further communicate via, a first wireless connection over the first cell group with the first network node and a second wireless connection over the second cell group with the second network node.

[0083]

[0058] Cell group compatibility information may characterize aspects and / or operational details about one or more cell groups. The cell group compatibility information may be specific to one cell group or may characterize multiple cell groups. The cell group compatibility information may indicate the compatibility between the first network node and the second network node for RAN aggregation via the first cell group and the second cell group, respectively. Selection of the first cell group and the second cell group based on the cell group compatibility information may improve coordination of communication via the first wireless connection and the second wireless connection. The cell group compatibility information may further include various connectivity parameters to indicate the cell groups that may be optimal to establish dual connectivity. Signal quality over the first wireless connection and the second wireless connection may be enhanced when leveraging the cell group compatibility information as discussed herein.

[0084]

[0059] FIG. 1 is a diagram that illustrates an example of an environment 100, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. The environment 100 may be a wireless communication environment. The environment 100 may include a fourth-generation (4G) system, a fifthgeneration (5G) system, a sixth-generation (6G) system, future generations, or the like. In one example, a network node of the environment 100 may include a New Radio (NR) base station, a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) base station, a Node B, an Evolved Node B (eNB), a Next Generation Node B (gNB), a Radio Access Network (RAN) node, an access point, a transmissionreception point (TRP), a mobile entity of a wireless communication network, or the like.

[0085] 0097-6363PCT2500520WG

[0086] 10

[0087]

[0060] As shown in FIG. 1, the environment 100 may include core networks 102a-102d such as a first core network 102a, a second core network 102b, a third core network 102c, and a fourth core network 102d. Each of the core networks 102a-102d may be associated with one of a 4G core, a 5G core, or any future generation core that may be configured to manage user plane and control plane functions. Though four core networks are shown in the core networks 102a-102d, in various aspects, the core networks 102a-102d may include three core networks. In such an aspect, two of the core networks may refer to a same core network. In an example, the third core network 102c and the fourth core network 102d may be replaced with a single core network, such as a 6G core network.

[0088]

[0061] The environment 100 may further include Central Units (CUs) 104a-104d such as a first CU 104a, a second CU 104b, a third CU 104c, and a fourth CU 104d. The first CU 104a, the second CU 104b, the third CU 104c, and the fourth CU 104d may be communicatively coupled to the first core network 102a, the second core network 102b, the third core network 102c, and the fourth core network 102d via a corresponding backhaul link, respectively. Further, the environment 100 may include one or more Distributed Units (DUs) 106a-106d, such as a first DU 106a, a second DU 106b, a third DU 106c, and a fourth DU 106d, and one or more Radio Units (RUs) 108a-108d such as a first RU 108a, a second RU 108b, a third RU 108c, or a fourth RU 108d. Though the CUs 104a-104d are shown to include four CUs 104a-104d, in various aspects, a single CU may be coupled to multiple DUs 106a- 106d. In one example, the third CU 104c and the fourth CU 104d may be replaced with a single CU and the third DU 106c and the fourth DU 106d may be coupled to the single CU.

[0089]

[0062] Each of the DUs 106a-106d may be communicatively coupled to the CUs 104a-104d via a respective midhaul link. Further, each of the DUs 106a-106d may be communicatively coupled to at least one corresponding RU of the RUs 108a-108d via at least one respective fronthaul link. The DUs 106a-106d may be co-located with the CUs 104a-104d, or alternatively, may be distributed across the environment 100. Each of the RUs 108a-108d may be co-located with a corresponding DU of the DUs 106a-106d, or alternatively, may be distributed across the environment 100. Further, each of the RUs 108a-108dmay be communicatively coupled to a user equipment 110 via a respective radio frequency (RF) access link. Examples of the user equipment 110 may include a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA) device, a wireless modem, a wireless communication device, a handheld device, a laptop computer, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a tablet, a camera, a gaming device, a wearable device, or the like.

[0090]

[0063] In various aspects, each of the CUs 104a-104d may host one or more higher-layer control functions for network control and / or signaling. In an example, the higher-layer control functions may include Radio Resource Control (RRC) functions, Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) functions, Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) functions, or the like. Each higher-layer control function of the higher-layer control functions may be implemented with an interface 0097-6363PCT

[0091]

[0092] that may be configured to communicate signals with various higher-layer control functions hosted by the CUs 104a-104d. Further, the CUs 104a-104d may be configured to handle a user plane functionality (for example, a Central Unit-User Plane (CU-UP) functionality), a control plane functionality (for example, a Central Unit-Control Plane (CU-CP) functionality), or a combination thereof. In some aspects, the CUs 104a-104d may be logically split into one or more CU-UP units and one or more CU-CP units to handle the user plane functionality and the control plane functionality, respectively. In some more aspects, the CUs 104a-104d may be implemented to communicate with the DUs 106a-106d, for the network control and / or signaling.

[0093]

[0064] Each of the DUs 106a-106d may correspond to a logical unit that includes one or more base station functions to control the operation of the corresponding RU of the RUs 108a-108d. In further aspects, each of the DUs 106a-106d may host one or more of a Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, a Medium Access Control (MAC) layer, and one or more high-physical (high-PHY) layers depending, at least in part, on a functional split, e.g., a functional split defined by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). Further, each layer hosted by one of the DUs 106a-106d may be implemented with an interface that may be configured to communicate signals with one or more layers hosted by the DUs 106a-106d, or with the higher-layer control functions hosted by the CUs 104a-104d. In some implementations, the DUs 106a-106d may host the high-PHY layers for forward error correction (FEC) encoding and decoding, scrambling, or modulation and demodulation, among further examples.

[0094]

[0065] Each of the RUs 108a-108d may implement one or more lower-layer functionalities depending, at least in part, on the functional split defined by the 3 GPP. The lower-layer functionalities may correspond to one or more low-physical (low-PHY) layer functions supported by a low-PHY layer or one or more RF processing functions. For example, the lower-layer functionalities may include performing a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), performing an inverse FFT, digital beamforming, or physical random-access channel extraction and filtering, among further examples. In some aspects, each RU of the RUs 108a-108d may be controlled by the corresponding DU of the DUs 106a-106d to handle over-the-air (OTA) communication with the user equipment 110. In some implementations, to handle the OTA communication, the DUs 106a-106d may control one or more real-time, near real-time, or non-real-time aspects of control plane (C-plane) communication (and / or user plane “U-plane” communication) with the RUs 108a- 108d.

[0095]

[0066] Referring to the user equipment 110, a dual stack user equipment such as the user equipment 110 has emerged as a technology that supports multi-connectivity scenarios. The user equipment 110 may be configured to support connectivity over multiple network nodes. The connectivity over more than one network node, e.g., two network nodes, may be referred to as dual connectivity or radio access network (RAN) aggregation throughout the disclosure. The user equipment 110 may establish two independent Radio Resource Control (RRC) connections with the network, allowing for simultaneous operations across different radio access technologies or 0097-6363PCT2500520WG

[0096] 12

[0097] frequency bands. In an example, dual stack configurations may involve 5G+6G, 6G+6G, or similar multi-stack setups. In one aspect, the user equipment 110 may implement the RAN aggregation for seamless communication with different network nodes. Further, the connection of the user equipment 110 with two network nodes may allow communication over various frequency channels thereby increasing a communication bandwidth associated with the user equipment 110.

[0098]

[0067] The user equipment 110 may be enabled to support the RAN aggregation via various communication stacks (e.g., protocol stacks) of the user equipment 110. The user equipment 110 may alternatively be referred to as a multi-stack user equipment 110. For the sake of simplicity of the ongoing disclosure and without deviating from the scope of the disclosure, it is assumed that the user equipment 110 may include two communication stacks. Thus, the user equipment 110 may be a dual-stack user equipment 110. In an example, the user equipment 110 may include a first communication stack and a second communication stack. The first communication stack may enable the user equipment 110 to connect to the first network node, and the second communication stack may enable the user equipment 110 to connect to the second network node. Further stated, the first communication stack and the second communication stack may enable a capability of the user equipment 110 to establish two different wireless connections with two network nodes. In one example, the user equipment 110 may establish a first wireless connection with the first network node and a second wireless connection with the second network node.

[0099]

[0068] The two network nodes may either be associated with the same radio access technology (RAT) or different RATs. In one example, the first network node and the second network node may be associated with a 4G RAT and a 5G RAT, respectively, thereby enabling simultaneous connectivity of the user equipment 110 with both a 4G network a 5G network, respectively. In further examples, the first network node and the second network node may be associated with a 5G RAT and a 6G RAT, respectively. In further examples, the first network node and the second network node may be associated with the same RAT, e.g., a 5G RAT and a 5G RAT or a 6G RAT and a 6G RAT. In furthermore examples, at least one of the first network node and the second network node may be associated with any future generation RAT. Though it is mentioned in the above example that the user equipment 110 may establish the first wireless connection with the first network node and the second wireless connection with the second network node, in various examples, the user equipment 110 may establish the second wireless connection with a third network node and the first wireless connection with a fourth network node. Further, the first network node, the second network node, the third network node, and the fourth network node may be collectively referred to as “first through fourth network nodes”.

[0100]

[0069] In one aspect, each of the first through fourth network nodes may be associated with a region, zone, area, or territory (referred to as a “network zone) that may be covered under a communication range of the corresponding network node. In one example, at a first location of 0097-6363PCT

[0101]

[0102] the network node, a first network zone may be associated with the network node whereas for a second location of the network node, a second network zone may be associated with the network node. Each of the network nodes may wirelessly connect with the user equipment 110 via various cells (e.g., “cell group” or a “group of cells”) that may be associated with one or more frequency channels supported by a corresponding network node of the network zone.

[0103]

[0070] For RAN aggregation, one of the first through fourth network nodes may generate cell group compatibility information. In some aspects, cell group compatibility information may characterize aspects and / or operational details about two or more cell groups associated with at least two network nodes. In one example, the first network node may generate the cell group compatibility information that may indicate a first cell group associated with the first network node and a second cell group associated with the second network node. The first network node may further transmit the cell group compatibility information to the user equipment 110. Upon receiving the cell group compatibility information from the first network node, the user equipment 110 may be configured to select the first cell group and the second cell group for the RAN aggregation (e.g., dual connectivity). The user equipment 110 may further communicate via the first wireless connection over the first cell group with the first network node, and the second wireless connection over the second cell group with the second network node. The operations of the user equipment 110 and each of the first through fourth network nodes have been explained in further detail in the ongoing description. Further, as understood by a person skilled in the art, each of the first through fourth network nodes may be RAN nodes.

[0104]

[0071] With reference to FIG. 1, in one aspect, the first RU 108a may execute functions associated with the first network node. In further aspects, the functions associated with the first network node may be distributed across each of the first CU 104a, the first DU 106a, and the first RU 108a. Similarly, the second RU 108b, the third RU 108c, the fourth RU 108d may execute the functions associated with the second network node, the third network node, and the fourth network node, respectively. In further aspects, the functions associated with the second network node may be distributed across the second CU 104b, the second DU 106b, and the second RU 108b, the functions associated with the third network node may be distributed across the third CU 104c, the third DU 106c, and the third RU 108c, and the functions associated with the fourth network node may be distributed across the fourth CU 104d, the fourth DU 106d, and the fourth RU 108d.

[0105]

[0072] FIG. 2 is a diagram that illustrates an example of a message flow 200 between the user equipment 110, the first network node 202, and the second network node 204, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. FIG.2 is explained in conjunction with FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the user equipment 110 may be communicatively coupled to the first network node 202 and the second network node 204.

[0106]

[0073] At 208, an indication of capability to support RAN aggregation may be transmitted. The first network node 202 may be configured to transmit the capability indication for the RAN 0097-6363PCT

[0107]

[0108] aggregation, (e.g., support for dual connectivity) to the user equipment 110. In one example, the indication of the capability may be transmitted based on a request received from the user equipment 110 to indicate the support for the RAN aggregation by the first network node 202. In further examples, the indication of the capability may be triggered by the first network node 202 without the reception of the request from the user equipment 110.

[0109]

[0074] At 210, the cell group compatibility information may be transmitted. The cell group compatibility information may be transmitted from the first network node 202 to the user equipment 110. In one aspect, the cell group compatibility information may be transmitted via at least one of an in-band message (e.g., on a same frequency channel), an out-of-band message (e.g., on multiple frequency channels), or an RRC signal (e.g., via RRC protocol). In further aspects, the first network node 202 may transmit the indication to support RAN aggregation and the cell group compatibility information via a system indication (SI) message. In further aspects, the first network node 202 may broadcast the indication to support RAN aggregation and the cell group compatibility information. The user equipment 110 may thus identify the capability of the first network node 202 to support RAN aggregation and download the cell group compatibility information via 6G SI service or Operations, Administration, and Maintenance (0AM) functions. In further aspects, the indication of the capability to support RAN aggregation and the cell group compatibility information may be transmitted by the first network node 202 via RRC messages to the user equipment 110.

[0110]

[0075] The cell group compatibility information may indicate two or more cell groups ranked in an order of priority. In one example, the two or more cell groups may include the first cell group and the second cell group ranked with the highest priority. The cell group compatibility information may further indicate at least two or more collocated frequencies (e.g., multiple cells of a cell group operating on frequencies associated with network zones in proximity), two or more physical cell identities (PCIs) (e.g., an identifier of each cell that may be associated with a given frequency channel), or two or more reference signal received power (RSRP) thresholds (e.g., a power threshold to indicate selection of a cell) associated with each cell group. The cell group compatibility information may further indicate two or more non-collocated frequencies associated with each cell group (e.g., multiple cells of a cell group operating on different frequency channels) and whether the second cell group is in synchronization for the RAN aggregation with the first cell group (e.g., alignment of a transmission time of each cell group to avoid interference). In one aspect, the first cell group and the second cell group may be ranked with the highest priority indicating the highest compatibility, based on at least one of the collocated frequencies indicating lack of interference, RSRP thresholds being above a minimum power threshold, synchronization between the first cell group and the second cell group, or the like.

[0111]

[0076] At 212, the first cell group and the second cell group may be selected. Upon receiving the cell group compatibility information, the user equipment 110 may select, among the cell groups, 0097-6363PCT

[0112]

[0113] two or more cells associated with each of the first cell group and the second cell group for communication via the first wireless connection and the second wireless connection. In one example, the user equipment 110 may select the first cell group and the second cell group based on the cell group compatibility information indicating the highest compatibility between the first cell group and the second cell group. Further, the first cell group and the second cell group may be compatible with the user equipment 110 for the communication via the first wireless connection and the second wireless connection, respectively. In one example, the compatibility of the first cell group and the second cell group with the user equipment 110 may be determined based on one or more Quality of Service (QoS) policies that may include a network coverage policy, a handover policy, an energy-saving policy, or the like.

[0114]

[0077] At 214 and 216, a communication may occur via the first wireless connection over the first cell group with the first network node 202 and a communication may occur via the second wireless connection over the second cell group with the second network node 204, respectively. The communication via the first wireless connection over the first cell group with the first network node 202 may include establishment of the first wireless connection over the first cell group between the user equipment 110 and the first network node 202, exchange of various information, data, and / or signals, via the first wireless connection, or the like. Similarly, the communication via the second wireless connection over the second cell group with the second network node 204 may include establishment of the second wireless connection over the second cell group between the user equipment 110 and the second network node 204, exchange of information, data, and / or signals, via the second wireless connection, or the like. In one example, the first wireless communication may be established via the first communication stack of the user equipment 110 and the second wireless communication may be established via the second communication stack of the user equipment 110. In one aspect, to establish the first wireless connection and the second wireless connection, various synchronization signals may be exchanged between the user equipment 110 and each of the first network node 202 and the second network node 204 to synchronize the communication of at least one of data packets or the control packets, bearer configuration, or the like. Further, radio resource configuration signals may be exchanged to configure various connection parameters between the user equipment 110 and each of the first network node 202 and the second network node 204.

[0115]

[0078] In one aspect, prior to the reception of the cell group compatibility information, the user equipment 110 may detect the first network node 202 and initiate authentication with the first network node 202. The user equipment 110 may provide authentication details to the first network node 202, that may include an identifier of the user equipment 110. During the authentication, the user equipment 110 and the first network node 202 may authenticate each other by way of various authentication requests and responses as will be understood by a person skilled in the art. Based on the authentication, the user equipment 110 may further transmit to the first network node 202, 0097-6363PCT

[0116]

[0117] capability information of the user equipment 110 to support RAN aggregation, frequency channels supported by the user equipment 110, power requirements of the user equipment 110, compatibility with various RATs, or the like. The first network node 202 may thus provide the cell group compatibility information based on the capability information of the user equipment 110.

[0118]

[0079] In further aspects, the first network node 202 may discover the user equipment 110 and detect that the user equipment 110 may support RAN aggregation (e.g., dual connectivity). To establish dual connectivity with the user equipment 110, one or more processors of the first network node 202 may detect the capability of the first network node 202 to support dual connectivity.

[0119]

[0080] In further aspects, a capability of a network node (e.g. the first network node 202, the second network node 204, or the like) to support dual connectivity may be based on capability parameters such as an architecture of the network node, frequency channels associated with the network node, communication interfaces for communication with different network nodes, or the like.

[0120]

[0081] In further aspects, the first network node 202 may identify the capability of the second network node 204 to support dual connectivity. In one scenario, the first network node 202 may request a capability of the second network node 204 to support RAN aggregation. In further aspects, the first network node 202 may store the capability parameters associated with the second network node 204 in one or more memories associated with the first network node 202. The first network node 202 may thus retrieve the stored capability parameters to identify the capability of the second network node 204 to support the RAN aggregation. In one example, the first network node 202 may be configured to store a table of all the compatible cells associated with a network zone, in the one or more memories.

[0121]

[0082] In further aspects, each of the first cell group and the second cell group may include a single cell, two cells, or more than two cells.

[0122]

[0083] In one aspect, the first network node 202 may be further configured to rank the cell groups in an order of priority. A priority level of each cell group may be further based on ranking parameters such as a signal quality indicator, load balance, mobility of the user equipment 110, or the like. The signal quality indicators may include a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), an RSRP threshold, a reference signal received qualify (RSRQ), or the like. In one example, the first cell group and the second cell group may have a high SNR as compared to a fifth cell group. Thus, the first cell group and the second cell group may be ranked higher with respect to the fifth cell group. In further examples, a tenth cell group may have a low RSRP threshold. Thus, the tenth cell group may be ranked lowest in the cell group compatibility information. A load balance may be considered to select cells for a cell group to balance load or congestion on each cell. In

[0123] 0097-6363PCT2500520WG

[0124] 17

[0125] furthermore examples, the first network node 202 may rank the cell groups based on a mobility of the user equipment 110.

[0126]

[0084] In further aspects, the user equipment 110 may be configured to determine, among the, two or more cell groups, cells that may not be selected (or shall remain inactive) while performing the wireless connection. In other words, the user equipment 110 may be configured to determine, among the cell groups, a subset of cells that may not be required to establish the wireless connection. In an example, the subset of cells may be determined based on the cell group compatibility information, the Quality of Service (QoS) policies, or the like.

[0127]

[0085] In some aspects, the user equipment 110 may transmit an acknowledgment (ACK) indicating the reception of the cell group compatibility information. In some examples, the user equipment 110 may prohibit the transmission of the ACK in absence of reception of the cell group compatibility information. In some more examples, if the cell group compatibility information may be partially received, the user equipment 110 may transmit, to the first network node 202, a response including a partial acknowledgment (PACK). Upon receiving the response including the PACK (or upon receiving no response for a specific time), the first network node 202 may be configured to re-transmit the cell group compatibility information at least partially to the user equipment 110.

[0128]

[0086] Based on the establishment of the first wireless connection and the second wireless connection, in one scenario, the user equipment 110 may transmit data packets via the first wireless connection and control packets via the second wireless connection. In further scenarios, the user equipment 110 may communicate data packets on each of the first wireless connection and the second wireless connection. In further scenarios, the user equipment 110 may split the data packets to balance workload on each of the first wireless connection and the second wireless connection.

[0129]

[0087] FIG. 3 is a diagram that illustrates an example of a message flow 300 between the user equipment 110, the first network node 202, the second network node 204, and the third network node 306, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is explained in conjunction with FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the user equipment 110 may be communicatively coupled to the first network node 202, the second network node 204, and the third network node 306.

[0130]

[0088] At 308, an indication of the capability of the first network node 202 to support the RAN aggregation and the cell group compatibility information may be transmitted. In one aspect, the first network node 202 may transmit the indication of the capability for the RAN aggregation and the cell group compatibility information via an SI message to the user equipment 110. The indication of the capability of the first network node 202 to support the RAN aggregation and the cell group compatibility information may be concurrently transmitted to the user equipment 110.

[0131] 0097-6363PCT

[0132]

[0133]

[0089] At 310, the first cell group may be selected. The user equipment 110 may select the first cell group based on the cell group compatibility information. In one aspect, the cell group compatibility information may indicate the first cell group. The first cell group may be selected based on at least one of collocated frequencies associated with the first cell group, PCIs associated with the first cell group, RSRP thresholds associated with the first cell group, or the like, for the communication via the first wireless connection.

[0134]

[0090] At 312, the communication via the first wireless connection may occur. The first wireless connection may be established between the user equipment 110 and the first network node 202 for the communication between the user equipment 110 and the first network node 202 over the first cell group. In one aspect, the user equipment 110 and the first network node 202 may exchange synchronization signals to establish the first wireless connection.

[0135]

[0091] At 314, configuration data may be transmitted. The configuration data may be transmitted to the user equipment 110 by the first network node 202. To transmit the configuration data, the first network node 202 may be further configured to generate the configuration data based on the establishment of the first wireless connection. The configuration data may include at least one of a bandwidth (e.g., range of operational frequencies) supported by the first cell group, a count of multiple input multiple output (MIMO) layers (e.g., parallel transmission of multiple data streams) associated with the first cell group, or component carrier data (e.g., carrier aggregation data) associated with the first cell group. The configuration data may further indicate cell groups that may be synchronous or asynchronous for RAN aggregation with the first cell group. In one example, for synchronous cell groups, a deviation from the timing alignment may be acceptable within a threshold for the RAN aggregation. In further examples, the RAN aggregation may be asynchronous, e.g., may not require timing alignment for the establishment of the first wireless connection and the second wireless connection.

[0136]

[0092] At 316, the second cell group may be selected. The user equipment 110 may be configured to select the second cell group. The second cell group may be selected based on the configuration data and the cell group compatibility information. In one aspect, the cell group compatibility information may indicate that the second cell group is in synchronization (e.g., time synchronized) with the first cell group. In further aspects, the configuration data may further indicate that the second cell group may be compatible with the first cell group based on the bandwidth, MIMO layers, or the component carrier data associated with the first cell group.

[0137]

[0093] The user equipment 110 may further evaluate the selection of the second cell group based on the configuration data. In one example, the bandwidth supported by the first cell group may be 300 MegaHertz (MHz). The user equipment 110 may thus select the second cell group that may support the bandwidth of 300 MHz. In further examples, the number of MIMO layers may indicate a number of layers to simultaneously transmit the data packets. Thus, the user equipment

[0138] 0097-6363PCT

[0139]

[0140] 110 may select the second cell group based on the number of MIMO layers associated with the second cell group matching a desired number of MIMO layers associated with the first cell group, to transmit the data packets. Further, based on the carrier data carried by each cell of the first cell group, the user equipment 110 may select the second cell group.

[0141]

[0094] At 318, the communication via the second wireless connection may occur. The user equipment 110 and the second network node 204 may further establish the second wireless connection based on the selection of the second cell group to communicate between the user equipment 110 and the second network node 204 over the second cell group. The second wireless connection may further be established based on the establishment of the first wireless connection. In one example, the user plane and control plane aggregation may be split across the first wireless connection and the second wireless connection.

[0142]

[0095] At 320, a link failure in one of the first wireless connection or the second wireless connection may be detected. Further stated, the user equipment 110 may detect a communication failure. The communication failure may occur due to loss of data packets or control packets on either of the first wireless connection or the second wireless connection, interference in the communication of the data packets or the control packets, degraded signal quality (e.g., degradation on either of the transmission of the data packets or the control packets) on either of the first wireless connection or the second wireless connection, or the like. In one aspect, a link failure in the first wireless connection may be detected. In further aspects, a link failure in the second wireless connection may be detected.

[0143]

[0096] At 322, a third cell group may be selected. The user equipment 110 may be further configured to select the third cell group. The third cell group may be selected based on the cell group compatibility information. In one aspect, the cell group compatibility information may further indicate the compatibility between the first cell group and the third cell group, and the second cell group and the third cell group. In one example, the cell group compatibility information may further indicate that both the first cell group and the second cell group are in synchronization for the RAN aggregation with the third cell group. The compatibility between each of the first cell group and the third cell group and the second cell group and the third cell group may be based on the collocated or non-collocated frequencies, PCIs, RSRP thresholds, or the like, associated with each of the first cell group, the second cell group, and the third cell group. In further aspects, the user equipment 110 may further select the third cell group based on the configuration data. In one example, user equipment 110 may further receive the configuration data via the second wireless connection. The configuration data may indicate the compatibility between the third cell group with each of the first cell group and the second cell group based on the bandwidth, MIMO layers, or the component carrier data associated with the first cell group and the second cell group. After 322, either 324 or 326 may occur.

[0144] 0097-6363PCT2500520WG

[0145] 20

[0146]

[0097] At 324, the communication via the first wireless connection may occur between the user equipment 110 and the third network node 306. In one aspect, the first wireless connection with the first network node 202 may fail. Thus, based on the determination that second cell group and the third cell group may be compatible, the user equipment 110 may be further configured to reestablish the first wireless connection between the user equipment 110 and the third network node 306. In such an aspect, the communication via the second wireless connection may be retained between the user equipment 110 and the second network node 204. The reestablishment of the first wireless connection may occur in a manner similar to the establishment of the first wireless connection. In one example, synchronization signals, bearer configuration, radio resource configuration signals may be exchanged during the reestablishment of the first wireless connection thereby enabling the communication via the first wireless connection over the third cell group between the user equipment 110 and the third network node 306.

[0147]

[0098] At 326, the communication via the second wireless connection may occur between the user equipment 110 and the third network node 306. In further aspects, based on the determination that first cell group and the third cell group may be compatible, the user equipment 110 may be further configured to reestablish the second wireless connection between the user equipment 110 and the third network node 306. Further stated, based on the link failure of the second wireless connection between the user equipment 110 and the second network node 204, the second wireless connection may be reestablished between the user equipment 110 and the third network node 306 thereby enabling the communication via the second wireless connection over the third cell group between the user equipment 110 and the third network node 306. In such an aspect, the communication via the first wireless connection may be retained between the user equipment 110 and the first network node 202. The reestablishment of the second wireless connection may occur in a manner similar to the establishment of the second wireless connection.

[0148]

[0099] FIG. 4 is a diagram that illustrates an example of a message flow 400 between the user equipment 110, the first network node 202, and the second network node 204 of the environment 100, in accordance with further aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is explained in conjunction with FIGS. 1 - 3. In the aspect shown in FIG. 4, the cell group compatibility information may include first group compatibility information and second group compatibility information. Further, the first group compatibility information may be associated with the second cell group, and the second group compatibility information may be associated with the first cell group.

[0149]

[0100] At 402, an indication regarding a capability to support RAN aggregation may be transmitted. The first network node 202 may transmit the indication of the capability to the user equipment 110 based on the first network node 202 having the capability to support RAN aggregation.

[0150] 0097-6363PCT

[0151]

[0152]

[0101] At 404, the second group compatibility information may be transmitted. The first network node 202 may identify and select the first cell group based on at least one of collocated frequencies, RSRP thresholds, or PCIs associated with the first cell group. The first network node 202 may thus transmit the second group compatibility information indicating the first cell group to the user equipment 110. In further examples, the first network node 202 may select the first cell group based on operational frequencies, bandwidth, a number of MIMO layers, component carrier data, or the like, associated with the first cell group. In one scenario, the user equipment 110 may communicate the capabilities of the user equipment 110 for the selection of the first cell group by the first network node 202. In further scenarios, the first network node 202 may request the user equipment 110 to provide capability information of the user equipment 110 to establish the first wireless connection. Thus, the first network node 202 may identify the first cell group based on the capability information received from the user equipment 110.

[0153]

[0102] At 406, the communication may occur via the first wireless connection. The first wireless connection over the first cell group between the user equipment 110 and the first network node 202 may be established for communication between the user equipment 110 and the first network node 202 over the first cell group.

[0154]

[0103] At 408, a second cell group may be selected. The first network node 202 may select the second cell group based on the establishment of the first wireless connection. Further stated, based on the established first wireless connection, the first network node 202 may select the second cell group associated with the second network node 204 to support the RAN aggregation with the first cell group. In one example, the second cell group may be selected based on at least one of collocated frequencies, RSRP thresholds, or PCIs associated with the second cell group. In further examples, the second cell group may be selected based on the bandwidth, the number of MIMO layers, the component carrier data, or the like, associated with the first cell group.

[0155]

[0104] At 410, the first group compatibility information may be transmitted. The first network node 202 may be configured to transmit to the user equipment 110, the first group compatibility information. The first group compatibility information may indicate the compatibility of the first cell group with the second cell group for the RAN aggregation. The first group compatibility information may further indicate the collocated frequencies, PCIs, RSRP thresholds, or the like, associated with the second cell group. Further, the first group compatibility information may indicate that the second cell group may be in synchronization for the RAN aggregation with the first cell group.

[0156]

[0105] At 412, the communication via the second wireless connection may occur. The second wireless connection may be established between the user equipment 110 and the second network node 204 over the second cell group based on the first group compatibility information. In one aspect, the first network node 202 may be a primary node and the second network node 204 may

[0157] 0097-6363PCT2500520WG

[0158] 22

[0159] be a secondary node. Thus, a split bearer configuration may be applied to split the data packets partially between the first network node 202 and the second network node 204 to communicate with the user equipment 110. In further aspects, the data packets may be transmitted independently on each of the first wireless connection and the second wireless connection.

[0160]

[0106] FIG. 5 is a diagram that illustrates an example of a message flow 500 between the user equipment 110, the first network node 202, the second network node 204, the third network node 306, and the fourth network node 508 of the environment 100, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is explained in conjunction with FIGS. 1 -4.

[0161]

[0107] In the aspect shown in FIG. 5, at 512, the communication via the first wireless connection may occur. The communication may occur via the first wireless connection between the user equipment 110 and the first network node 202 over the first cell group. Further, at 514, the communication via the second wireless connection may occur. The communication via the second wireless connection may occur between the user equipment 110 and the second network node 204 over the second cell group. The communication via the first wireless connection and the second wireless connection may occur based on the establishment of the first wireless connection and the second wireless connection, respectively. Further, the first wireless connection and the second wireless connection may be established based on the cell group compatibility information as described in FIGS. 1 - 4. In one aspect, the first wireless connection over the first cell group and the second wireless connection over the second cell group may be simultaneously established. In further aspects, the first wireless connection over the first cell group and the second wireless connection over the second cell group may be sequentially established. Further stated, the second wireless connection may be established after the first wireless connection.

[0162]

[0108] At 516, a handover of at least one of the second network node 204 to the third network node 306 or the first network node 202 to the fourth network node 508 may be coordinated. The first network node 202 and the second network node 204 may be configured to coordinate a handover (e.g., handover of a wireless connection) of at least one of the second network node 204 to the third network node 306 or the first network node 202 to the fourth network node 508 for the RAN aggregation. In one aspect, the first network node 202 may be configured to trigger the coordination of the handover to the fourth network node 508. In further aspects, the second network node 204 may be configured to trigger the coordination of the handover to the third network node 306. In one scenario, each of the first network node 202 and the second network node 204 may be configured to identify a network node to handover the first wireless connection and the second wireless connection, respectively. In further scenarios, the first network node 202 may handover to the fourth network node 508 whereas the second network node 204 may not handover to the third network node 306. In yet further scenarios, the second network node 204 may handover to the third network node 306 whereas the first network node 202 may not handover to the fourth network node 508. In furthermore scenarios, the second network node 204 may 0097-6363PCT

[0163]

[0164] handover to the fourth network node 508 and the first network node 202 may handover to the third network node 306.

[0165]

[0109] In one aspect, a handover may occur based on an assessment of various handover parameters such as mobility, load balance, power consumption associated with any of the user equipment 110, the first network node 202, or the second network node 204. In one example, due to mobility, at least one of the first wireless connection or the second wireless connection may be degraded. In further examples, the handover may occur to balance the load on at least one of the first network node 202 or the second network node 204. In furthermore examples, due to high power consumption by any of the first network node 202 or the second network node 204, the handover may occur to a different network node. The handover may be triggered by any of the user equipment 110, the first network node 202, or the second network node 204.

[0166] [HO] In one aspect, the handover may occur between network nodes associated with the same RAT. In one example, each of the first network node 202 and the fourth network node 508 may be associated with any one of 5G RAT, 6G RAT, or future generation RATs. In further aspects, the handover may occur between network nodes associated with different RATs. In one example, the first network node 202 and the fourth network node 508 may be associated with 5G RAT -6G RAT, 6G RAT - future generation RATs, or the like, respectively.

[0167] [Hl] A selection of a network node for handover may be based on power consumption, capabilities of the network node, or the like. In one aspect, the capabilities of the network node may be associated with the RAN aggregation support by the network node, availability of the network node, or the like. In one example, the support for RAN aggregation may be determined based on various handover requests and responses that may be exchanged between the network nodes. In one scenario, various handover requests and responses may be exchanged to assess the capability of the network node for the handover. In further scenarios, the handover responses received from various network nodes may be stored in a memory associated with a network node that requests the handover responses. In such a scenario, the network node may select a different network node for the handover based on the stored handover responses.

[0168]

[0112] In one aspect, during the coordination of the handover, the second network node 204 may provide information of the third cell group associated with the third network node 306 to the first network node 202. Further, the first network node 202 may provide information of the fourth cell group associated with the fourth network node 508 to the second network node 204. Subsequently, the first network node 202 may query the second network node 204 to indicate the compatibility of at least one of the second cell group and the third cell group with the fourth cell group for RAN aggregation. Likewise, the second network node 204 may query the first network node 202 to indicate the compatibility of at least one of the first cell group and the fourth cell group with the third cell group for RAN aggregation. Based on the query, a confirmation may be received from the first network node 202 indicating the compatibility of at least one of the second cell group and 0097-6363PCT

[0169]

[0170] the third cell group with the fourth cell group for the RAN aggregation. Further, the second network node 204 may indicate the compatibility of at least one of the first cell group and the fourth cell group with the third cell group for RAN aggregation. Based on the indication of the compatibility, a current communication state (e.g., the context associated with the transmission of the data packets or the control packets) between the first network node 202 and the user equipment 110 may be provided to the fourth network node 508. In addition, the current communication state between the second network node 204 and the user equipment 110 may be provided to the third network node 306 via radio resource configuration signals.

[0171]

[0113] At 518, the handover may be indicated. The first network node 202 may be configured to indicate to the user equipment 110 via a handover signal, the handover of the at least one of the first network node 202 to the fourth network node 508 or the second network node 204 to the third network node 306. The handover may be indicated based on the coordination between the first network node 202 and the second network node 204. In one aspect, the cell group compatibility information indicating the third cell group and the fourth cell group, may be retransmitted during the indication of the handover. Based on the indication of the handover and the cell group compatibility information, the third cell group and the fourth cell group may be selected to reestablish the second wireless connection and the first wireless connection, respectively. In one example, the cell group compatibility information may indicate the third cell group associated with the third network node 306 and the fourth cell group associated with the fourth network node 508. The cell group compatibility information may further indicate collocated and non-collocated frequencies, PCIs, RSRP thresholds, or the like, associated with the third cell group and the fourth cell group. The cell group compatibility information may further indicate that the fourth cell group is in synchronization for the RAN aggregation with the third cell group.

[0172]

[0114] At 520, the communication via the first wireless connection may occur between the user equipment 110 and the fourth network node 508 over the fourth cell group. In one example, the communication may occur between the user equipment 110 and the fourth network node 508 based on the establishment of the first wireless connection over the fourth cell group. Further, at 522, the communication via the second wireless connection may occur between the user equipment 110 and the third network node 306 over the third cell group. In one example, the first wireless communication may be reestablished via the first communication stack of the user equipment 110 and the second wireless communication may be reestablished via the second communication stack of the user equipment 110. The first wireless connection and the second wireless connection may be reestablished over the fourth cell group and the third cell group based on a manner similar to the establishment of the first wireless connection and the second wireless connection over the first cell group and the second cell group, respectively. Thus, the user

[0173] 0097-6363PCT

[0174]

[0175] equipment 110 may communicate with the fourth network node 508 via the first wireless connection, and with the third network node 306 via the second wireless connection.

[0176] [US] FIGS. 6A and 6B are a diagram that illustrate an example of a message flow 600 between the user equipment 110, the first network node 202, the second network node 204, the third network node 306, and the fourth network node 508 of the environment 100, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. FIGS. 6A and 6B are explained in conjunction with FIGS. 1 -5.

[0177]

[0116] At 610, an indication regarding a capability to support RAN aggregation may be transmitted. The first network node 202 may transmit the indication to the user equipment 110.

[0178]

[0117] At 612, the cell group compatibility information may be transmitted from the first network node 202 to the user equipment 110. The first network node 202 may identify the first cell group and the second cell group and transmit the cell group compatibility information. The cell group compatibility information may indicate to the user equipment 110, a compatibility between the first cell group associated with the first network node 202 and the second cell group associated with the second network node 204 to support RAN aggregation.

[0179]

[0118] At 614, the first cell group and the second cell group may be selected. The first cell group associated with the first network node 202 and the second cell group associated with the second network node 204 may be selected by the user equipment 110 based on the cell group compatibility information.

[0180]

[0119] At 616, the communication via the first wireless connection may occur between the user equipment 110 and the first network node 202 based on the selection of the first cell group. Further stated, the first wireless connection may be established over the first cell group.

[0181]

[0120] At 618, the communication via the second wireless connection may occur between the user equipment 110 and the second network node 204 based on the selection of the second cell group. Further stated, the second wireless connection may be established over the second cell group.

[0182]

[0121] At 620, an indication of a handover to the third network node 306 may be transmitted. The second network node 204 may be configured to transmit the indication of the handover to the user equipment 110. In one example, the user equipment 110 may be configured to receive an indication of a handover from the second network node 204 to the third network node 306 via the second wireless connection. The user equipment 110 may be further configured to determine, based on the indication of the handover and the cell group compatibility information, whether the first network node 202 is compatible with the third network node 306 for the RAN aggregation.

[0183]

[0122] At 622, a third cell group may be selected. Based on the determination that the third network node 306 and the first network node 202 are compatible for the RAN aggregation, the user equipment 110 may select the third cell group associated with the third network node 306. In other words, the user equipment 110 may determine the third cell group to be compatible with

[0184] 0097-6363PCT

[0185]

[0186] the first cell group based on the cell group compatibility information as explained in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0187]

[0123] At 623, the first wireless connection may be retained. The first wireless connection may remain established (e.g., the communication may be retained) between the user equipment 110 and the first network node 202 over the first cell group. The first wireless connection may remain established based on the compatibility between the third cell group and the first cell group as indicated by the cell group compatibility information.

[0188]

[0124] At 624, the communication via the second wireless connection may occur between the user equipment 110 and the third network node 306 over the third cell group. Prior to the reestablishment of the second wireless connection with the third network node 306, the second wireless connection may be disconnected with the second network node 204. To reestablish the second wireless connection with the third network node 306, the user equipment 110 and the third network node 306 may communicate synchronization signals between the user equipment 110 and the third network node 306 over the third cell group.

[0189]

[0125] At 626, a fourth cell group based on an incompatibility between the first network node 202 and the third network node 306 may be selected. In further aspects, based on the determination that the third network node 306 and the first network node 202 may be incompatible for the RAN aggregation, the user equipment 110 may be further configured to select, based on the cell group compatibility information, a fourth cell group for the RAN aggregation with the third cell group. The third cell group may be determined to be incompatible with the first cell group based on the cell group compatibility information. In one example, the cell group compatibility information may indicate that the third cell group may be incompatible with the first cell group based on timing mismatch, data format incompatibility, frequency misalignment, or the like, between the first network node 202 and the third network node 306. Further, the user equipment 110 may select the fourth cell group on a compatibility between the fourth cell group and the third cell group as indicated by the cell group compatibility information. In one example, the fourth cell group may be selected based on different PCIs associated with the fourth cell group and the third cell group. In further examples, the fourth cell group may be selected based on the fourth cell group and the third cell group being synchronous cell groups. In further examples, the fourth cell group may be selected based on the bandwidth, the MIMO layers, or the component carrier data associated with the fourth cell group and the third cell group.

[0190]

[0126] At 628, the communication via the first wireless connection may occur between the user equipment 110 and the fourth network node 508 over the fourth cell group. To reestablish the first wireless connection over the fourth cell group with the fourth network node 508, the user equipment 110 may be further configured to disconnect the first wireless connection established between the user equipment 110 and the first network node 202. Based on the reestablishment of the first wireless connection with the fourth network node 508, the first wireless connection may 0097-6363PCT

[0191]

[0192] thus be activated for communication of at least one of the data packets or the control packets between the user equipment 110 and the fourth network node 508. Further, the second wireless connection over the third cell group with the third network node 306 may be retained at 624.

[0193]

[0127] At 630, a notification of a handover based on the determination of the incompatibility may be transmitted. In further aspects, based on the determination that the third network node 306 and the first network node 202 may be incompatible for the RAN aggregation, the user equipment 110 may be further configured to transmit the notification to the first network node 202. The notification may indicate the handover from the second network node 204 to the third network node 306. Further, the user equipment 110 may be further configured to instruct the first network node 202, based on the notification, to one of modify configuration data associated with the first wireless connection to establish compatibility between the first network node 202 and the third network node 306 for the RAN aggregation, or handover to the fourth network node 508 that may be compatible with the third network node 306 for the RAN aggregation.

[0194]

[0128] At 632, the configuration data may be modified. In one aspect, the first network node 202 may be further configured to modify the configuration data associated with the first wireless connection to establish compatibility between the first network node 202 and the third network node 306 for the RAN aggregation. To modify the configuration data, the first network node 202 may alter at least one of the bandwidth, the MIMO layers, or component carrier data associated with the first cell group to support the RAN aggregation with the third cell group. In one example, the first network node 202 may modify the bandwidth, e.g., increase or decrease the parallel transmission of data streams, to match the desired bandwidth associated with the third cell group of the third network node 306. In further examples, the first network node 202 may modify the number of MIMO layers (e.g., modify a number of antennas associated with the MIMO layers) to synchronize with the signal timings associated with the third network node 306. In further examples, the component carrier data may be modified by way of addition or deletion of carriers, switching to a different carrier, adjusting to a different component carrier, or the like, to synchronize the component carrier data between the first network node 202 and the third network node 306.

[0195]

[0129] At 634, the first wireless connection may be retained. The first wireless connection may remain established between the first network node 202 and the user equipment 110 based on the modification of the configuration data. Further stated, if the first network node 202 may be able to successfully modify the configuration data to establish the compatibility between the first network node 202 and the third network node 306, the first wireless connection may remain established (e.g., may be retained) between the first network node 202 and the user equipment 110. In one aspect, the parameters of the established first wireless connection may be modified based on the modified configuration data. In further aspects, the first wireless connection may be

[0196] 0097-6363PCT

[0197]

[0198] reestablished between the first network node 202 and the user equipment 110 based on the modified configuration data.

[0199]

[0130] At 636, a handover may occur to the fourth network node 508. In further aspects, the first network node 202 may be further configured to handover to the fourth network node 508. The first network node 202 may handover to the fourth network node 508 based on an incapability of the first network node 202 to modify the configuration data. In one aspect, the first network node 202 may be unable to alter any of the bandwidth, the MIMO layers, or component carrier data associated with the first cell group to support the RAN aggregation with the third cell group. Thus, the first network node 202 may handover to the fourth network node 508 based on the instructions received from the user equipment 110.

[0200]

[0131] At 638, the communication via the first wireless connection may occur between the user equipment 110 and the fourth network node 508 based on the handover from the first network node 202 to the fourth network node 508. The first wireless connection may be reestablished further based on the compatibility between the third cell group and the fourth cell group. The fourth network node 508 and the third network node 306 may thus coordinate for the RAN aggregation with the user equipment 110.

[0201]

[0132] FIG. 7 is a diagram that illustrates a high-level flowchart 700 of a process (e.g., a method) executed at the user equipment 110 of the environment 100, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is explained in conjunction with FIGS. 1 - 6C.

[0202]

[0133] At 702, cell group compatibility information from a first network node 202, may be received. The cell group compatibility information may be received by the user equipment 110. The cell group compatibility information may indicate two or more cell groups (e.g., the first cell group and the second cell group).

[0203]

[0134] At 704, a first cell group and a second cell group based on the cell group compatibility information may be selected. The user equipment 110 may determine compatibility between the first cell group and the second cell group for the RAN aggregation, based on the cell group compatibility information.

[0204]

[0135] At 706, a communication with the first network node 202 via a first wireless connection over the first cell group and a second wireless connection over the second cell group with the second network node 204 may occur. In one aspect, 706 may be executed after 704. The user equipment 110 may communicate with the first network node 202 via the first wireless connection over the first cell group based on the selection of the first cell group. The user equipment 110 may further communicate with the second network node 204 via the second wireless connection over the second cell group based on the selection of the second cell group. In further aspects, 706 may be executed after 702. Further stated, based on the reception of the cell group compatibility information, the communication between the user equipment 110 and the first network node 202

[0205] 0097-6363PCT2500520WG

[0206] 29

[0207] may occur via the first wireless connection over the first cell group and the communication between the user equipment 110 and the second network node 204 may occur via the second wireless connection over the second cell group.

[0208]

[0136] FIG. 8 is a diagram that illustrates a high-level flowchart 800 of a process (e.g., a method) executed at the first network node 202 of the environment 100, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is explained in conjunction with FIGS. 1 -7.

[0209]

[0137] At 802, an indication to the user equipment 110, regarding a capability of a first network node 202 to support RAN aggregation may be transmitted. The capability of the first network node 202 to support dual connectivity (e.g., RAN aggregation) may be transmitted to the user equipment 110. In one example, the indication may be transmitted to the user equipment 110 based on a request from the user equipment 110 to the first network node 202 to confirm the capability of the first network node 202 for RAN aggregation.

[0210]

[0138] At 804, a communication may occur via a first wireless connection over the first cell group with the user equipment 110. In one aspect, the first wireless connection may be established between the user equipment 110 and the first network node 202 based on the second group compatibility information. Further, the first wireless connection may be established with the user equipment 110 for communication over the first cell group.

[0211]

[0139] At 806, a second cell group associated with a second network node 204 may be selected. In one aspect, based on the establishment of the first wireless connection, the first network node 202 may determine cells groups that may be compatible with the first cell group. The compatibility determination with the first cell group may be based on at least one of collocated frequencies, RSRP thresholds, PCIs, bandwidth, a number of MIMO layers, component carrier data, or timing synchronization with the first cell group. The first network node 202 may identify the second cell group associated with the second network node 204 to be compatible with the first cell group. The second cell group may thus be selected by the first network node 202 to support RAN aggregation.

[0212]

[0140] At 808, first group compatibility information to the user equipment 110 indicating a compatibility of the first cell group with the second cell group for the RAN aggregation may be transmitted. The first network node 202 may transmit the first group compatibility information indicating the selected second cell group as the cell group compatibility information. The user equipment 110 may thus establish the second wireless connection with the second network node 204 over the second cell group based on the first group compatibility information.

[0213]

[0141] FIG. 9 is a diagram that illustrates a high-level flowchart 900 of a process (e.g., a method) executed at the user equipment 110 of the environment 100, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is explained in conjunction with FIGS. 1 -8.

[0214] 0097-6363PCT2500520WG

[0215] 30

[0216]

[0142] At 902, a communication with a first network node 202 may occur via first wireless connection over a first cell group. The user equipment 110 may establish the first wireless connection with the first network node 202 over the first cell group. In one example, the first wireless connection may be established based on the second group compatibility information indicating the first cell group. Further, the user equipment 110 and the first network node 202 may communicate (e.g., exchange synchronization signals) via the first wireless connection.

[0217]

[0143] At 904, cell group compatibility information, from the first network node 202 via the first wireless connection, may be received. The first network node 202 may select the second cell group via the first wireless connection. The selection of the second cell group may be based on a compatibility between the first cell group and the second cell group for the RAN aggregation. The user equipment 110 may receive the cell group compatibility information that may indicate the second cell group, from the first network node 202.

[0218]

[0144] At 906, a communication with a second network node 204 may occur via a second wireless connection over the second cell group. The user equipment 110 may establish the second wireless connection over the second cell group with the second network node 204 based on the first group compatibility information. To establish the second wireless connection, the user equipment 110 may select the second cell group based on the cell group compatibility information. The user equipment 110 may further communicate (e.g., exchange synchronization signals) with the second network node 204 via the second wireless connection.

[0219]

[0145] FIG. 10 is a diagram that illustrates a high-level flowchart 1000 of a process (e.g., a method) executed at the first network node 202 of the environment 100, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is explained in conjunction with FIGS. 1 -9.

[0220]

[0146] At 1002, cell group compatibility information to a user equipment 110 may be transmitted. The first network node 202 may transmit the cell group compatibility information to the user equipment 110. The cell group compatibility information may indicate a compatibility between the first cell group associated with the first network node 202 and the second cell group associated with the second network node 204 for RAN aggregation.

[0221]

[0147] At 1004, based on the transmission of the cell group compatibility information, a communication may occur via a first wireless connection over the first cell group with the user equipment 110. The first network node 202 may communicate via the first wireless connection over the first cell group with the user equipment 110 based on the transmission of the cell group compatibility information. Further, based on the cell group compatibility information, the second wireless connection may be established between the user equipment 110 and the second network node 204 over the second cell group.

[0222]

[0148] FIGS. 11A, 1 IB, and 11C are diagrams that illustrate a detailed flowchart 1100 of aprocess (e.g., a method) executed at the user equipment 110 of the environment 100, in accordance with

[0223] 0097-6363PCT2500520WG

[0224] 31

[0225] certain aspects of the present disclosure. FIGS. 11A, 1 IB, and 11C are explained in conjunction with FIGS. 1 - 10.

[0226]

[0149] At 1102, an indication regarding a capability of a first network node 202 to support RAN aggregation may be received. The first network node 202 may indicate the capability of the first network node 202 for RAN aggregation (e.g., dual connectivity) to the user equipment 110.

[0227]

[0150] At 1104, the cell group compatibility information from the first network node 202 may be received. After 1104, 1106-1114 may be executed to sequentially establish the first wireless connection and the second wireless connection or 1116 and 1118 may be executed to simultaneously establish the first wireless connection and the second wireless connection.

[0228]

[0151] At 1106, a first cell group based on the cell group compatibility information may be selected. The first cell group may be associated with the first network node 202. In one aspect, the user equipment 110 may select the first cell group for the RAN aggregation based on the cell group compatibility information. In further aspects, the user equipment 110 may select the second cell group along with the first cell group for the RAN aggregation based on the cell group compatibility information. Further stated, the user equipment 110 may identify a first set of cells associated with the second cell group based on the cell group compatibility information.

[0229]

[0152] At 1108, a communication via a first wireless connection over the first cell group with the first network node 202 based on the selection of the first cell group may occur. The user equipment 110 may establish the first wireless connection over the first cell group with the first network node 202. The first wireless connection may be established via the first communication stack of the user equipment 110 to communicate with the first network node 202 over the first cell group.

[0230]

[0153] At 1110, configuration data from the first network node 202 via the first wireless connection may be received. The user equipment 110 may receive the configuration data (e.g., connected mode configuration) from the first network node 202.

[0231]

[0154] At 1112, a second cell group based on the configuration data and the cell group compatibility information may be selected. In one aspect, the second cell group may be selected based on the cell group compatibility information and the configuration data that may indicate the compatibility between the first cell group and the second cell group based on the bandwidth, the count of MIMO layers, or component carrier data associated with the first cell group. In further aspects, two or more cells of the second cell group may be reselected based on the configuration data to establish the compatibility between the first cell group and the second cell group. Further stated, the user equipment 110 may identify a second set of cells compatible with the first cell group based on incompatibility between the first set of cells and the first cell group that may be indicated by the configuration data. The user equipment 110 may thus select the second set of cells as the second cell group to establish the second wireless connection.

[0232] 0097-6363PCT

[0233]

[0234]

[0155] At 1114, a communication via a second wireless connection over the second cell group with the second network node 204 may occur. The user equipment 110 may establish the second wireless connection with the second network node 204 over the second cell group. The second wireless connection may be established via the second communication stack of the user equipment 110 to communicate with the second network node 204.

[0235]

[0156] At 1116, the first cell group and the second cell group based on the cell group compatibility information may be selected. The user equipment 110 may select the first cell group and the second cell group simultaneously for the RAN aggregation based on the compatibility between the first cell group and the second cell group.

[0236]

[0157] At 1118, the communication via the first wireless connection over the first cell group with the first network node 202 and the second wireless connection over the second cell group with the second network node 204 may occur. The user equipment 110 may simultaneously establish the first wireless connection and the second wireless connection over the selected first cell group and the second cell group via the first communication stack and the second communication stack to communicate with the first network node 202 and the second network node 204, respectively.

[0237]

[0158] 1120 may be executed after 1114 or 1118. At 1120, a link failure in one of the first wireless connection or the second wireless connection may be detected. In one aspect, the first wireless connection may be active whereas the second wireless connection may be idle. In further aspects, both the first wireless connection and the second wireless connection may be active. In either aspects, the user equipment 110 may thus detect a communication failure, e.g., loss of communication on or disconnection of any of the first wireless connection or the second wireless connection.

[0238]

[0159] At 1122, based on the cell group compatibility information, a third cell group for the RAN aggregation with one of the first cell group or the second cell group may be selected. In one aspect, based on the connection that may not have experienced link failure, the user equipment 110 may assign the cell group over the active wireless connection as the anchor cell group, and reselect the cell group to support the RAN aggregation. Further stated, the user equipment 110 may select the third cell group based on either of the first cell group or the second cell group being the anchor cell group. The cell group compatibility information may indicate to the user equipment 110, the compatibility between the first cell group, the second cell group, and the third cell group.

[0239]

[0160] At 1124, the communication via one of the first wireless connection or the second wireless connection over the third cell group with a third network node 306 may occur based on the detected link failure. In one aspect, the first wireless connection may be established for communication over the third cell group with the third network node 306 based on a failure of the first wireless connection with the first network node 202. Further, the second wireless connection may be retained with the second network node 204. In further aspects, based on a failure of the

[0240] 0097-6363PCT

[0241]

[0242] second wireless connection with the second network node 204, the second wireless connection may be established for communication over the third cell group with the third network node 306. Further, the first wireless connection may be retained with the first network node 202.

[0243]

[0161] 1126 may be executed after 1114 or 1118. At 1126, an indication of a handover from the second network node 204 to the third network node 306 may be received. In one aspect, the second network node 204 may determine a handover of the second wireless connection to the third network node 306. In one example, to handover to the third network node 306, the second network node 204 may provide various radio resource configuration signals to the third network node 306 to set up the parameters associated with the second wireless connection. The third network node 306 may thus generate a radio resource acknowledgement signal indicating the reception of the radio resource configuration signals. The second network node 204 may further indicate to the user equipment 110 the handover to the third network node 306.

[0244]

[0162] At 1128, the communication may occur based on the handover, via the second wireless connection with the third network node 306 over the third cell group. The user equipment 110 may identify the third cell group associated with the third network node 306 based on the reception of the indication of the handover and the cell group compatibility information. The user equipment 110 may thus establish the second wireless connection with the third network node 306 similar to the establishment of the second wireless connection with the second network node 204. The user equipment 110 may communicate with the third network node 306 via the second wireless connection over the third cell group.

[0245]

[0163] At 1129, it is determined whether the first network node 202 may be compatible with the third network node 306 for the RAN aggregation. The user equipment 110 may determine the compatibility between the first network node 202 and the third network node 306 for the RAN aggregation based on the cell group compatibility information. At 1129, if it is determined that the first network node 202 and the third network node 306 may be incompatible for the RAN aggregation, 1130 - 1132 or 1136 - 1142 may be executed. The determination of the incompatibility may be based on the cell group compatibility information that may indicate, in one example, that the third cell group may be incompatible with the first cell group for the RAN aggregation based on frequency misalignments.

[0246]

[0164] At 1130, a fourth cell group for the RAN aggregation with the third cell group may be selected based on the cell group compatibility information. The fourth cell group may be selected based on the determination that the fourth cell group and the third cell group may be compatible for the RAN aggregation. In one example, the user equipment 110 may select the fourth cell group based on the fourth cell group and the third cell group being ranked with the highest priority as indicated by the cell group compatibility information.

[0247] 0097-6363PCT

[0248]

[0249]

[0165] At 1132, the communication via the first wireless connection over the fourth cell group with a fourth network node 508 may occur. The first wireless connection over the fourth cell group may be established in a manner similar to the establishment of the first wireless connection over the first cell group. The user equipment 110 may communicate via the first wireless connection with the fourth network node 508 based on the selection of the fourth cell group.

[0250]

[0166] At 1136, a notification to the first network node 202 regarding the handover from the second network node 204 to the third network node 306 may be transmitted. 1136 may be executed based on the determination of the incompatibility between the first network node 202 and the third network node 306 for the RAN aggregation at 1129. The user equipment 110 may transmit the notification to the third network node 306.

[0251]

[0167] At 1138, the first network node 202 may be instructed to one of modify configuration data associated with the first wireless connection or handover to the fourth network node 508 that is compatible with the third network node 306 for the RAN aggregation. The user equipment 110 may transmit the instructions associated with the modification or handover to the first network node 202.

[0252]

[0168] At 1140, the communication may occur via first wireless connection over the fourth cell group with the fourth network node 508. The first network node 202 may handover to the fourth network node 508 based on the instructions received from the user equipment 110. The user equipment 110 may further receive the indication of the handover to the fourth network node 508 and determine the compatibility between the fourth cell group and the third cell group for RAN aggregation based on the cell group compatibility information. The first wireless connection may thus be established between the user equipment 110 and the fourth network node 508 over the fourth cell group to communicate with the fourth network node 508.

[0253]

[0169] At 1142, the first wireless connection may be retained. Based on the instructions to modify the configuration data, the first network node 202 may be able to modify the configuration data to establish the compatibility between the first cell group and the third cell group. The user equipment 110 may further receive the indication of the modification of the configuration data. The first wireless connection may thus be retained based on the established compatibility between the first cell group and the third cell group by the first network node 202. Further stated, the user equipment 110 may determine to retain the first wireless connection.

[0254]

[0170] In further aspects, 1142 may be executed after 1129. At 1129, if it is determined that the first network node 202 and the third network node 306 may be compatible for the RAN aggregation, the first wireless connection may be retained over the first cell group. In further aspects, 1129 may be executed directly after 1126. Further, 1128 may be executed based on the determination of the compatibility between the first network node 202 and the third network node 306 for the RAN aggregation at 1129. Further, 1142 may be executed as the user equipment 110

[0255] 0097-6363PCT

[0256]

[0257] may determine to retain the first wireless connection with the first network node 202 over the first cell group.

[0258]

[0171] FIG. 12 is a diagram that illustrates a detailed flowchart 1200 of a process (e.g., a method) executed at the first network node 202 of the environment 100, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 12 is explained in conjunction with FIGS. 1 - 11C.

[0259]

[0172] At 1202, an indication to a user equipment 110, regarding a capability of a first network node 202 to support RAN aggregation may be transmitted. In one aspect, the first network node 202 may transmit the capability of the first network node 202 to support RAN aggregation based on a request such as a RAN aggregation capability request received from the user equipment 110.

[0260]

[0173] At 1204, the second group compatibility information to the user equipment 110 indicating the first cell group may be transmitted. In one aspect, the first network node 202 may transmit the second group compatibility information as the cell group compatibility information to the user equipment 110 upon the transmission of the capability indication for the RAN aggregation to the user equipment 110. The second group compatibility information may be transmitted via an in-band message, an out-of-band message, or an RRC signal.

[0261]

[0174] At 1206, a communication via a first wireless connection over a first cell group with the user equipment 110 may occur. In one aspect, the user equipment 110 may initiate the establishment of the first wireless connection over the first cell group upon the reception of the second group compatibility information. In further aspects, the first network node 202 may initiate the establishment of the first wireless connection over the first cell group with the user equipment 110 upon the transmission of the second group compatibility information. The communication between the user equipment 110 and the first network node 202 may occur via the first wireless connection over the first cell group.

[0262]

[0175] At 1208, a second cell group associated with a second network node 204 to support the RAN aggregation with the first cell group may be selected. The first network node 202 may select the second cell group based on the compatibility of the second cell group with the first cell group to support the RAN aggregation. The first network node 202 may indicate the second network node 204 regarding the selection of the second cell group. The indication of the selection may occur via an inter base station / node interface (Xn) or service-based interface (SBI).

[0263]

[0176] At 1210, first group compatibility information to the user equipment 110 indicating a compatibility of the first cell group with the second cell group for the RAN aggregation may be transmitted. The first network node 202 may transmit the first group compatibility information as the cell group compatibility information to the user equipment 110. After 1210, in one aspect, 1212 and 1214 may be executed. After 1210, in further aspects, 1216, 1218, and one of 1220 or 1222 may be executed.

[0264] 0097-6363PCT

[0265]

[0266]

[0177] At 1212, a handover of at least one of the second network node 204 to a third network node 306 or the first network node 202 to a fourth network node 508 for the RAN aggregation may be coordinated. The first network node 202 and the second network node 204 may execute the coordination based on the decision by at least one of the first network node 202 to handover the first wireless connection to the fourth network node 508 or the second network node 204 to handover the second wireless connection to the third network node 306. Prior to the coordination, each of the first network node 202 and the second network node 204 may exchange the handover requests and responses, e.g., node configuration requests and responses, with the fourth network node 508 and the third network node 306, respectively. During the coordination, the first network node 202 may indicate the fourth cell group associated with the fourth network node 508 to the second network node 204, and the second network node 204 may indicate the third cell group associated with the third network node 306 to the first network node 202 associated with the handover.

[0267]

[0178] At 1214, the handover of the at least one of the first network node 202 to the fourth network node 508 or the second network node 204 to the third network node 306 may be indicated to the user equipment 110. The first network node 202 may transmit a handover signal to the user equipment 110, indicating the handover of the first network node 202 to the fourth network node 508 or the second network node 204 to the third network node 306. Further, in one aspect, the first network node 202 may further transmit updated cell group compatibility information indicating the compatibility between the third cell group and the fourth cell group via the RRC signal. The user equipment 110 may reestablish the first wireless connection and the second wireless connection with the fourth network node 508 and the third network node 306 for communication over the fourth cell group and the third cell group, respectively. In one aspect, the first network node 202 may further receive a reconfiguration signal indicating the reestablishment.

[0268]

[0179] At 1216, a notification from the user equipment 110 regarding the handover from the second network node 204 to the third network node 306 for the RAN aggregation may be received. In further aspects, the second network node 204 may execute the handover to the third network node 306, and the second wireless connection may be reestablished between the user equipment 110 and the third network node 306 over the third cell group. The first network node 202 may thus receive the notification of the handover from the second network node 204 to the third network node 306.

[0269] [ISO] At 1218, instructions to one of modify configuration data to establish compatibility with the third network node 306 or handover to the fourth network node 508 may be received. Based on the reestablished second wireless connection, it may be determined that the first cell group may be incompatible with the third cell group for the RAN aggregation. Thus, the first network node 202 may receive the instructions from the user equipment 110 to either modify the configuration data, e.g. modify one of the bandwidth, the count of the MIMO layers, or the 0097-6363PCT

[0270]

[0271] component carrier data, to establish compatibility with the third cell group or handover to the fourth network node 508 based on an inability to modify the configuration data. After 1218, 1220 or 1220 may be executed.

[0272]

[0181] At 1220, the configuration data may be modified to estabfish the compatibility between the first network node 202 and the third network node 306. In one aspect, the first network node 202 may be able to modify the configuration data and establish the compatibility between the first cell group and the third cell group. The first network node 202 may further indicate the modification of the configuration data via the radio resource configuration signal and receive a reconfiguration acknowledgement signal from the user equipment 110. The first wireless connection thus may remain established, e.g., the communication may be retained, based on the established compatibility with the third cell group.

[0273]

[0182] At 1222, a handover may occur to the fourth network node 508 that may be compatible with the third network node 306. In further aspects, the first network node 202 may be unable to modify the configuration data to establish the compatibility between the first cell group and the third cell group. The first network node 202 may thus select the fourth cell group associated with the fourth network node 508 based on the compatibility between the fourth cell group and the third cell group and execute the handover. The first network node 202 may further indicate the fourth cell group to the user equipment 110 via the handover signal. The first wireless connection established with the first network node 202 may thus be disconnected and the first wireless connection may be reestablished between the user equipment 110 and the fourth network node 508 over the fourth cell group for communication.

[0274]

[0183] FIG. 13 is a diagram that illustrates an example of the user equipment 110 of the environment 100, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 13 is explained in conjunction with FIGS. 1 - 12. The user equipment 110 may include one or more user equipment (UE) processors 1302, a UE transceiver 1304, a communication bus 1306, and one or more UE memories 1308. The one or more UE processors 1302, the UE transceiver 1304, and the one or more UE memories 1308 may be coupled by way of the communication bus 1306 (e.g., an internal interface).

[0275]

[0184] The one or more UE processors 1302 may include an intelligent hardware device, (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a microcontroller, an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), a Programmable Logic Device (PLD), a discrete gate or transistor logic component, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof). The one or more UE processors 1302 may be configured to execute software and computer-readable instructions stored in the one or more UE memories 1308 to cause the user equipment 110 to perform functions associated with the establishment of the first wireless connection and the second wireless connection as explained in FIGS. 1 - 12. As used herein, the phrase 'one or more UE processors 0097-6363PCT

[0276]

[0277] 1302 are configured to cause the user equipment 110 to’ may encompass various implementations, including but not limited to: processors that are programmed and capable of performing the function, regardless of whether execution is occurring at a given time; processors actively executing instructions to perform the function; and processors that, when triggered by an event or condition, initiate execution of the function. This interpretation is not intended to limit the scope of the claims to only an actively functioning device.

[0278]

[0185] The user equipment 110 may execute a multi-protocol stack such as a dual protocol stack, that may include a first protocol stack (e.g., the first communication stack) for communicating (e.g., establish the first wireless connection) with the first network node 202 or the fourth network node 508 and a second protocol stack (e.g., the second communication stack) for communicating (e.g., establish the second wireless connection) with the second network node 204 or the third network node 306. Each of the first and second protocol stacks may include a packet data convergence protocol layer, a radio link control layer, a medium access control layer, and a physical layer.

[0279]

[0186] The one or more UE memories 1308 may be configured to store software, code, and / or computer readable instructions in the form of instructions 1310, which may be executed by the one or more UE processors 1302. The one or more UE memories 1308 may be further configured to store the cell group compatibility information and the configuration data as content 1312, based on the reception of the cell group compatibility information and the configuration data by the one or more UE processors 1302, respectively. Examples of the one or more UE memories 1308 may be a magnetic storage device (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk, magnetic strip), an optical disk (e.g., a compact disc (CD) or a digital versatile disc (DVD)), a smart card, a flash memory device (e.g., a card, a stick, or a key drive), a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable PROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), a register, a removable disk, and any other suitable medium for storing software and / or instructions that may be accessed and read by a computer.

[0280]

[0187] The UE transceiver 1304 may be associated with one or more antennas. The user equipment 110 may utilize the UE transceiver 1304 to communicate with each of the first network node 202, the second network node 204, the third network node 306, and the fourth network node 508. Further, the UE transceiver 1304 may include a transmitter, a receiver, or the like.

[0281]

[0188] FIG. 14 is a diagram that illustrates an example of a network node 1400 of the environment 100, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. FIG. 14 is explained in conjunction with FIGS. 1 - 13. The network node 1400 may facilitate wireless communication with a different RAN node and / or one or more communication devices (e.g., the user equipment 110). In some examples, the network node 1400 may correspond to the NR base station, the LTE base station, the eNB, the gNB, the access point, the TRP, or the like.

[0282] 0097-6363PCT

[0283]

[0284]

[0189] In some aspects, the network node 1400 may include a data source 1402 and / or a transmit processor 1404. The data source 1402 may be configured to generate data intended for a destination device, such as a different network node, the user equipment 110, or the like. Further, the data source 1402 may output the generated data to the transmit processor 1404. The transmit processor 1404 may be configured to select one or more modulation and coding schemes (MCSs) for the destination device based on channel quality indicators (CQIs) received from the destination device. Further, the transmit processor 1404 may be configured to perform one or more processes (e.g., an encoding process, a modulation process, or the like) on the generated data using the selected MCSs. In some examples, the processes may be performed on the generated data to produce a plurality of data symbols for the destination device.

[0285]

[0190] In some examples, the transmit processor 1404 may also process system information (e.g., semi-static resource partitioning information) and / or control information (e.g., CQI requests, grants, or upper layer signaling) to produce one or more overhead symbols and / or control symbols, respectively. In some examples, the transmit processor 1404 may also produce one or more reference symbols for one or more reference signals or one or more synchronization signals. In an example, the reference signals may include a cell-specific reference signal, a demodulation reference signal, or the like. For example, the synchronization signals may include a primary synchronization signal, a secondary synchronization signal, or the like.

[0286]

[0191] In some more aspects, the network node 1400 may include a transmit (TX) Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) processor 1406, a plurality of modems 1408A - 1408N (e.g., ‘N’ modems, where N>1), and / or a plurality of antennas 1410A - 1410N (e.g., ‘N’ antennas). The TX MIMO processor 1406 may be configured to perform spatial processing (e.g., precoding) on one or more of the data symbols, the overhead symbols, the control symbols, or the reference symbols. In some examples, the spatial processing may be performed to produce a plurality of output symbol streams (e.g., N’ output symbol streams). Further, the TX MIMO processor 1406 may be configured to output the plurality of output symbol streams to the plurality of modems 1408A- 1408N.

[0287]

[0192] Each modem of the plurality of modems 1408A - 1408N may be configured to receive a respective output symbol stream of the plurality of output symbol streams. Each modem of the plurality of modems 1408A - 1408N may include a modulator component (denoted as “MOD” in FIG. 14) and a demodulator component (denoted as “DEMOD” in FIG. 14). In some examples, the modulator component of each modem may be configured to receive the respective output symbol stream. Further, each modem (e.g., the modulator component) of the plurality of modems 1408A - 1408N may be configured to process the respective output symbol stream to produce a first wireless signal. Consequently, the plurality of modems 1408A - 1408N may produce a plurality of first wireless signals (e.g., a plurality of downlink signals), respectively. Furthermore,

[0288] 0097-6363PCT

[0289]

[0290] the plurality of modems 1408A - 1408N may be configured to transmit the plurality of first wireless signals via the plurality of antennas 1410A - 14 ION.

[0291]

[0193] The plurality of antennas 1410A - 1410N may be configured to transmit the plurality of first wireless signals to the destination device. In some examples, the plurality of antennas 1410A - 14 ION may include patch antennas, dipole antennas, or the like. In some more examples, the plurality of antennas 1410A- 14 ION may be provided within one or more antenna arrays, one or more antenna panels, or the like.

[0292]

[0194] In some aspects, the plurality of antennas 1410A - 1410N may be configured to receive, from the destination device, a plurality of second wireless signals (e.g., a plurality of uplink signals). The plurality of second wireless signals may be processed by the plurality of modems 1408A - 1408N. In some examples, the demodulator component of each modem of the plurality of modems 1408A - 1408N may be configured to process a respective second wireless signal of the plurality of second wireless signals.

[0293]

[0195] In further aspects, the network node 1400 may include a MIMO detector 1412, a receive processor 1414, a data sink 1416, a controller / processor 1418, and / or one or more network memories 1420. In one example, the network node 1400 may include one or more processors such as the transmit processor 1404, the receive processor 1414, and the controller / processor 1418. As used herein, the phrase 'one or more processors are configured to cause the network node 1400 to’ may encompass various implementations, including but not limited to: processors that are programmed and capable of performing the function, regardless of whether execution is occurring at a given time; processors actively executing instructions to perform the function; and processors that, when triggered by an event or condition, initiate execution of the function. This interpretation is not intended to limit the scope of the claims to only an actively functioning device.

[0294]

[0196] The MIMO detector 1412 may detect the plurality of second wireless signals processed by the plurality of modems 1408A - 1408N. The receive processor 1414 may process the detected plurality of second wireless signals to produce decoded data and / or decoded control information. Further, the receive processor 1414 may output the decoded data and / or the decoded control information to the data sink 1416 and / or the controller / processor 1418, respectively. Additionally, the network node 1400 may include a communication unit 1422 and / or a scheduler 1424. The communication unit 1422 may correspond to a communication interface that facilitates the network node 1400 to communicate to one or more external controllers, such as a network controller, or the like. The scheduler 1424 may correspond to an uplink scheduler and / or a downlink scheduler that facilitates the network node 1400 to schedule uplink communications and downlink communications, respectively.

[0295]

[0197] In some aspects, the controller / processor 1418 may include suitable circuitry, interfaces, and / or logic configured to perform one or more transmitting functions, one or more receiving

[0296] 0097-6363PCT

[0297]

[0298] functions, and one or more processing functions for the network node 1400. Examples of the processing functions may include processing signals received and / or to be transmitted by the network node 1400. In various aspects, the controller / processor 1418 may be implemented with a bus architecture, represented generally by a bus. The bus may include any number of interconnecting buses and bridges depending on the specific application of the controller / processor 1418 and the overall design constraints. The bus may provide an interface between the controller / processor 1418 and the further components of the network node 1400. For example, the bus may communicatively couple the controller / processor 1418 and the one or more network memories 1420.

[0299]

[0198] Examples of the controller / processor 1418 may include, but are not limited to system on a chip (SoC) processors, embedded processors, microcontrollers, specialized DSPs, Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) processors, ASIC processors, FPGAs, CPUs, explicitly parallel instruction computing (EPIC) processors, very long instruction word (VLIW) processors, PLDs, state machines, gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable processors or circuits configured to perform the various functionality described throughout this disclosure. In further aspects, the controller / processor 1418 may be implemented via a baseband or modem chip. In additional implementations, the controller / processor 1418 may comprise a number of devices distinct and different from the baseband or modem chip.

[0300]

[0199] In some aspects, the controller / processor 1418 may be communicatively coupled to the one or more network memories 1420 (e.g., computer-readable medium / memory). The one or more network memories 1420 may include suitable circuitry, interfaces, and / or logic configured to store instructions (e.g., computer-executable code) that when executed by the controller / processor 1418 may cause the controller / processor 1418 to perform the operations illustrated in FIGS. 1 - 12. The network node 1400 may store data within the one or more network memories 1420 by transforming the physical state of one or more physical storage units (e.g., transistors, magnetic domains, optical pits, gate cells, phase change materials, etc.) in the one or more network memories 1420 to reflect the information being stored. The specific transformation of physical state can depend on various factors. Examples of such factors can include, but are not limited to, the technology used to implement the physical storage units, whether the one or more network memories 1420 is characterized as primary or secondary storage, and the like.

[0301]

[0200] In further aspects, the one or more network memories 1420 may be a non-transitory computer-readable medium. A non-transitory computer-readable medium includes, by way of example, a magnetic storage device (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk, magnetic strip), a CD, a DVD, a smart card, a flash memory device (e.g., a card, a stick, or a key drive), a RAM, a ROM, a PROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM, a register, a removable disk, and any other suitable medium for storing software and / or instructions that may be accessed and read by a computer.

[0302] 0097-6363PCT

[0303]

[0304]

[0201] In some implementations, the network node 1400 may be configured to operate as the first network node 202, the second network node 204, the third network node 306, or the fourth network node 508 as described herein. For example, the controller / processor 1418 or any other components of the network node 1400 may enable the network node 1400 to perform the operations of one or more processes (e.g., the message flows 200 - 600) described herein.

[0305]

[0202] Techniques consistent with the present disclosure provide, among other features, systems, and methods for establishing dual connectivity between the user equipment and network nodes. The communication via the first wireless connection and the second wireless connection may occur based on selection of optimal cell groups as indicated by the cell group compatibility information for RAN aggregation. In addition, the wireless connection may be seamlessly reestablished to different network nodes in events of handover, based on the cell group compatibility information. Further aspects of the disclosure render at least one of selection of the second cell group or reselection of cells associated with the second cell group based on the configuration data. The signal quality over the first wireless connection and the second wireless connection may thus be further enhanced.

[0306]

[0203] The implementation of RAN aggregation as disclosed in the disclosure may offer several advantages over aggregation at application server levels or core network levels by enabling more efficient real-time data handling for the network nodes. Since aggregation occurs at the RAN, latency may be reduced by minimizing a need for data to traverse deeper network layers before being processed, thereby allowing more dynamic load balancing and resource allocation across different radio links. Thus, the spectrum efficiency may be improved, and overall network performance may be enhanced. Additionally, RAN aggregation may enhance mobility support by enabling seamless inter-node coordination, thereby aiding in maintaining service continuity in high-mobility scenarios. RAN aggregation may further improve radio link reliability, ensuring a more consistent and responsive user experience.

[0307]

[0204] The present disclosure may provide a solution to select cell groups based on the cell group compatibility information thereby optimizing the connectivity between the user equipment 110 and network nodes.

[0308]

[0205] Some implementation examples are described in the following numbered aspects:

[0309]

[0206] Aspect 1 : A method for establishing dual connectivity at a user equipment, comprising: receiving cell group compatibility information, from a first network node; selecting based on the cell group compatibility information, a first cell group and a second cell group for Radio Access Network (RAN) aggregation, wherein the first cell group is associated with the first network node; and communicating via, a first wireless connection over the first cell group with the first network node and a second wireless connection over the second cell group with a second network node.

[0310] 0097-6363PCT

[0311]

[0312]

[0207] Aspect 2: The method of aspect 1, wherein the cell group compatibility information is received via at least one of an in-band message, an out-of-band message, or a radio resource control signal.

[0313]

[0208] Aspect 3: The method of any of aspects 1 or 2, wherein the cell group compatibility information indicates two or more cell groups that include the first cell group and the second cell group.

[0314]

[0209] Aspect 4: The method of aspect 3, wherein the cell group compatibility information further indicates the two or more cell groups, ranked in an order of priority.

[0315]

[0210] Aspect 5: The method of any of aspects 3 or 4, wherein the cell group compatibility information further indicates at least one of: two or more collocated frequencies associated with the two or more cell groups, two or more physical cell identities (PCIs) associated with the two or more cell groups, or two or more reference signal received power thresholds associated with the two or more cell groups.

[0316]

[0211] Aspect 6: The method of any of aspects 3 to 5, wherein the cell group compatibility information further indicates two or more non-collocated frequencies associated with the two or more cell groups.

[0317]

[0212] Aspect 7: The method of any of aspects 3 to 6, wherein the cell group compatibility information further indicates whether the second cell group is in synchronization for the RAN aggregation with the first cell group.

[0318]

[0213] Aspect 8: The method of any of aspects 1 to 7, wherein the first wireless connection over the first cell group and the second wireless connection over the second cell group are simultaneously established.

[0319]

[0214] Aspect 9: The method of any of aspects 1 to 7, wherein the first wireless connection over the first cell group and the second wireless connection over the second cell group are sequentially established.

[0320]

[0215] Aspect 10: The method of aspect 8, wherein the second wireless connection is established after the first wireless connection.

[0321]

[0216] Aspect 11 : The method of aspect 10, further comprising: receiving configuration data from the first network node via the first wireless connection, selecting the second cell group based on the configuration data and the cell group compatibility information; and communicating via the second wireless connection over the selected second cell group with the second network node.

[0322]

[0217] Aspect 12: The method of aspect 11, wherein the configuration data comprises at least one of a bandwidth supported by the first cell group, a count of multiple input multiple output layers associated with the first cell group, or component carrier data associated with the first cell group.

[0323]

[0218] Aspect 13 : The method of any of aspects 1 through 12, further comprising: detecting a link failure in one of the first wireless connection or the second wireless connection; selecting, based

[0324] 0097-6363PCT

[0325]

[0326] on the cell group compatibility information, a third cell group for the RAN aggregation with one of the first cell group or the second cell group; and communicating via one of the first wireless connection or the second wireless connection, associated with the detected link failure, over the third cell group with a third network node.

[0327]

[0219] Aspect 14: The method of any of aspects 1 through 13, further comprising: receiving an indication of a handover from the second network node to a third network node via the second wireless connection; and determining, based on the indication of the handover, whether the first network node is compatible with the third network node for the RAN aggregation, wherein the third network node is associated with a third cell group, and the determination of whether the first network node is compatible with the third network node for the RAN aggregation is based on the cell group compatibility information.

[0328]

[0220] Aspect 15: The method of aspect 14, further comprising selecting, based on the cell group compatibility information and the determination that the third network node and the first network node are incompatible for the RAN aggregation, a fourth cell group for the RAN aggregation with the third cell group; and communicating via, the first wireless connection over the fourth cell group with a fourth network node and the second wireless connection over the third cell group with the third network node.

[0329]

[0221] Aspect 16: The method of aspect 15, further comprising transmitting, based on the determination that the third network node and the first network node are incompatible for the RAN aggregation, a notification to the first network node regarding the handover from the second network node to the third network node.

[0330]

[0222] Aspect 17: The method of aspect 1 , further comprising instructing the first network node, based on the notification, to one of: modify configuration data associated with the first wireless connection to establish compatibility between the first network node and the third network node for the RAN aggregation, or handover to a fourth network node that is compatible with the third network node for the RAN aggregation.

[0331]

[0223] Aspect 18: The method of aspect 14, further comprising communicating via, based on the determination that the third network node and the first network node are compatible for the RAN aggregation, the second wireless connection with the third network node over the third cell group.

[0332]

[0224] Aspect 19: The method of aspect 14, further comprising: receiving, from the first network node, an indication regarding a capability of the first network node to support the RAN aggregation, wherein the selection of the first cell group and the second cell group is further based on the reception of the indication.

[0333]

[0225] Aspect 20: The method of aspect 19, wherein the reception of the indication is prior to the reception of the cell group compatibility information.

[0334] 0097-6363PCT

[0335]

[0336]

[0226] Aspect 21: A method executed by a first network node, comprising: transmitting an indication to a user equipment, regarding a capability of the first network node to support Radio Access Network (RAN) aggregation; communicating via a first wireless connection over a first cell group with the user equipment based on the transmitted indication; selecting a second cell group associated with a second network node to support the RAN aggregation with the first cell group; and transmitting first group compatibility information to the user equipment indicating a compatibility of the first cell group with the second cell group for the RAN aggregation, wherein, based on the first group compatibility information, the user equipment and the second network node communicate via a second wireless connection over the second cell group.

[0337]

[0227] Aspect 22: The method of aspect 21, further comprising transmitting second group compatibility information associated with the first cell group based on the transmission of the indication, to the user equipment, wherein the communication via the first wireless connection is further based on the second group compatibility information.

[0338]

[0228] Aspect 23: The method of any of aspects 21 and 22, further comprising coordinating with the second network node, a handover of at least one of the second network node to a third network node or the first network node to a fourth network node for the RAN aggregation; and indicating to the user equipment, based on the coordination with the second network node, the handover of the at least one of the first network node to the fourth network node or the second network node to the third network node, wherein based on the indication of the handover and the first group compatibility information, at least one of (i) the user equipment and the third network node communicate via the second wireless connection over a third cell group or (ii) the user equipment and the fourth network node communicate via the first wireless connection over a fourth cell group.

[0339]

[0229] Aspect 24: The method of aspect 23, further comprising modifying the configuration data associated with the first wireless connection to establish the compatibility between the first network node and the third network node for the RAN aggregation.

[0340]

[0230] Aspect 25: The method of aspect 23, further comprising handover to the fourth network node that is compatible with the third network node for the RAN aggregation based on an incompatibility between the first network node and the fourth network node, wherein based on the handover to the fourth network node, the user equipment and the fourth network node communicate via the first wireless connection over a fourth cell group.

[0341]

[0231] Aspect 26: The method of any of aspects 21 to 25, further comprising indicating to the second network node, the selection of the second cell group for the RAN aggregation.

[0342]

[0232] Aspect 27: A method executed at a user equipment comprising: communicating via a first wireless connection over a first cell group with a first network node; receiving, via the first wireless connection, cell group compatibility information from the first network node, wherein

[0343] 0097-6363PCT

[0344]

[0345] the cell group compatibility information indicates a compatibility between the first cell group and a second cell group for Radio Access Network (RAN) aggregation; and communicating via a second wireless connection over the second cell group with a second network node based on the cell group compatibility information.

[0346]

[0233] Aspect 28: The method of aspect 27, further comprising receiving, from the first network node, an indication regarding a capability of the first network node to support the RAN aggregation prior to the reception of the cell group compatibility information, wherein the selection of the first cell group and the second cell group is further based on the reception of the indication.

[0347]

[0234] Aspect 29: The method of aspect 28, wherein the cell group compatibility information is received via at least one of an in-band message, an out-of-band message, or a radio resource control signal.

[0348]

[0235] Aspect 30: The method of any of aspects 27 to 29, wherein the cell group compatibility information indicates two or more cell groups that include the first cell group and the second cell group ranked in an order of priority, two or more collocated frequencies associated with the two or more cell groups, two or more physical cell identities (PCIs) associated with the two or more cell groups, or two or more reference signal received power thresholds associated with the two or more cell groups, two or more non-collocated frequencies associated with the two or more cell groups, and whether the second cell group is in synchronization for the RAN aggregation with the first cell group.

[0349]

[0236] Aspect 31: The method of any of aspects 27 to 30, further comprising receiving configuration data from the first network node via the first wireless connection, wherein the second cell group is selected based on the configuration data and the cell group compatibility information.

[0350]

[0237] Aspect 32: The method of aspect 31, wherein the configuration data comprises at least one of a bandwidth supported by the first cell group, a count of multiple input multiple output layers associated with the first cell group, or component carrier data associated with the first cell group.

[0351]

[0238] Aspect 33: The method of any of aspects 27 to 32, further comprising: detecting a link failure in the first wireless connection; selecting, based on the cell group compatibility information, a third cell group for the RAN aggregation with the second cell group; and communicating via the first wireless connection over the third cell group with a third network node.

[0352]

[0239] Aspect 34: The method of any of aspects 27 to 33, further comprising: detecting a link failure in the second wireless connection; selecting, based on the cell group compatibility information, a third cell group for the RAN aggregation with the first cell group; and

[0353] 0097-6363PCT

[0354]

[0355] communicating via the second wireless connection over the third cell group with a third network node.

[0356]

[0240] Aspect 35: The method of any of aspects 27 to 34, further comprising: receiving an indication of a handover from the second network node to a third network node via the second wireless connection; and determining, based on the indication of the handover and the cell group compatibility information, whether the first network node is compatible with the third network node for the RAN aggregation, wherein the third network node is associated with a third cell group.

[0357]

[0241] Aspect 36: The method of aspect 35, further comprising: selecting, based on the cell group compatibility information and the determination that the third network node and the first network node are incompatible for the RAN aggregation, a fourth cell group for the RAN aggregation with the third cell group; and communicating via the first wireless connection over the fourth cell group with a fourth network node and the second wireless connection over the third cell group with the third network node.

[0358]

[0242] Aspect 37: The method of aspect 35, further comprising transmitting, based on the determination that the third network node and the first network node are incompatible for the RAN aggregation, a notification to the first network node regarding the handover from the second network node to the third network node.

[0359]

[0243] Aspect 38: The method of aspect 37, further comprising instructing the first network node, based on the notification, to modify configuration data associated with the first wireless connection to establish compatibility between the first network node and the third network node for the RAN aggregation.

[0360]

[0244] Aspect 39: The method of aspect 37, further comprising instructing the first network node, based on the notification, to handover to a fourth network node that is compatible with the third network node for the RAN aggregation.

[0361]

[0245] Aspect 40: The method of aspect 39, further comprising communicating via the first wireless connection between the user equipment and the fourth network node.

[0362]

[0246] Aspect 41: The method of aspect 39, further comprising communicating, based on the determination that the third network node and the first network node are compatible for the RAN aggregation, via the second wireless connection with the third network node over the third cell group.

[0363]

[0247] Aspect 42: The method of any of aspects 27 through 39, wherein the first wireless connection is established via a first communication stack of the user equipment and the second wireless connection is established via a second communication stack of the user equipment.

[0364]

[0248] Aspect 43: A method executed at a user equipment comprising: selecting a first cell group associated with a first network node and a second cell group associated with a second network

[0365] 0097-6363PCT

[0366]

[0367] node based on cell group compatibility information; communicating via a first wireless connection over the first cell group with the first network node; receiving, via the first wireless connection, configuration data from the first network node; and communicating via a second wireless connection over the second cell group with the second network node based on the configuration data.

[0368]

[0249] Aspect 44: The method of aspect 43, further comprising identifying a first set of cells associated with the second cell group to select the second cell group.

[0369]

[0250] Aspect 45: The method of aspect 44, further comprising determining whether the first set of cells is compatible with the first cell group based on the reception of the configuration data.

[0370]

[0251] Aspect 46: The method of aspect 45, wherein based on the determination that the first set of cells associated with the second cell group is compatible with the first cell group, the second wireless connection is established over the second cell group with the second network node.

[0371]

[0252] Aspect 47: The method of aspect 45, further comprising identifying a second set of cells compatible with the first cell group based on the determination of the incompatibility between the first set of cells and the first cell group; and selecting the second set of cells to establish the second wireless connection.

[0372]

[0253] Aspect 48: The method of aspect 47, wherein the second wireless connection based on the selected second set of cells is established based on the selection of the second set of cells.

[0373]

[0254] Aspect 49: A method executed at a first network node comprising: transmitting cell group compatibility information to a user equipment, wherein the cell group compatibility information indicates a compatibility of a first cell group associated with the first network node for Radio Access Network (RAN) aggregation with a second cell group associated with a second network node; and communicating, based on the transmission of the cell group compatibility information, a first wireless connection over the first cell group with the user equipment, wherein based on the cell group compatibility information, the user equipment and the second network node communicate via a second wireless connection over the second cell group.

[0374]

[0255] Aspect 50: The method of aspect 49, further comprising transmitting an indication to the user equipment, regarding a capability of the first network node to support Radio Access Network (RAN) aggregation.

[0375]

[0256] Aspect 51: The method of any of aspect 49 or 50, further comprising: coordinating with the second network node, a handover of at least one of the second network node to a third network node or the first network node to a fourth network node for the RAN aggregation; and indicating to the user equipment, based on the coordination with the second network node, the handover of the at least one of the first network node to the fourth network node or the second network node to the third network node, wherein based on the indication of the handover and the cell group compatibility information, the user equipment and the third network node communicate via the

[0376] 0097-6363PCT

[0377]

[0378] second wireless connection over a third cell group or the user equipment and the fourth network node communicate via the first wireless connection over a fourth cell group.

[0379]

[0257] Aspect 52: The method of any of aspect 49 or 50, further comprising receiving a notification from the user equipment regarding a handover from the second network node to a third network node for the RAN aggregation, and instructions to one of: modify configuration data associated with the first wireless connection to establish compatibility with the third network node for the RAN aggregation, or handover to a fourth network node that is compatible with the third network node for the RAN aggregation.

[0380]

[0258] Aspect 53: The method of any of aspect 49 or 52, further comprising modifying based on the instructions, the configuration data associated with the first wireless connection to establish the compatibility between the first network node and the third network node for the RAN aggregation.

[0381]

[0259] Aspect 54: The method of any of aspect 49 or 52, further comprising executing a handover to the fourth network node that is compatible with the third network node for the RAN aggregation based on an incompatibility between the first network node and the fourth network node, wherein based on the handover to the fourth network node, the user equipment and the fourth network node communicate via the first wireless connection over a fourth cell group.

[0382]

[0260] Aspect 55 : The method of aspect 49, further comprising indicating a selection of the second cell group to the second network node for the RAN aggregation with the first cell group based on the transmission of the cell group compatibility information.

[0383]

[0261] Aspect 56: An apparatus comprising: a processor; a memory coupled with the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform a method of any of aspects 1 through 20.

[0384]

[0262] Aspect 57: An apparatus for establishing dual connectivity at a user equipment, comprising at least one means for performing a method of any of aspects 1 through 20.

[0385]

[0263] Aspect 58: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for establishing dual connectivity, at a user equipment, the code comprising instructions executable by a processor to perform a method of any of aspects 1 through 20.

[0386]

[0264] Aspect 59: An apparatus comprising: a processor; a memory coupled with the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform a method of any of aspects 21 through 26.

[0387]

[0265] Aspect 60: An apparatus for facilitating dual connectivity at a network node, comprising at least one means for performing a method of any of aspects 21 through 26.

[0388]

[0266] Aspect 61: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for facilitating dual connectivity, the code comprising instructions executable by a processor to perform a method of any of aspects 21 through 26.

[0389] 0097-6363PCT

[0390]

[0391]

[0267] Aspect 62: An apparatus comprising: a processor; a memory coupled with the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform a method of any of aspects 27 through 42.

[0392]

[0268] Aspect 63 : An apparatus for establishing dual connectivity at a user equipment, comprising at least one means for performing a method of any of aspects 27 through 42.

[0393]

[0269] Aspect 64: A non-transitoiy computer-readable medium storing code for establishing dual connectivity, at a user equipment, the code comprising instructions executable by a processor to perform a method of any of aspects 27 through 42.

[0394]

[0270] Aspect 65: An apparatus comprising: a processor; a memory coupled with the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform a method of any of aspects 43 through 48.

[0395]

[0271] Aspect 66: An apparatus for establishing dual connectivity at a user equipment, comprising at least one means for performing a method of any of aspects 43 through 48.

[0396]

[0272] Aspect 67: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for establishing dual connectivity, at a user equipment, the code comprising instructions executable by a processor to perform a method of any of aspects 43 through 48.

[0397]

[0273] Aspect 68: An apparatus comprising: a processor; a memory coupled with the processor; and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to perform a method of any of aspects 49 through 55.

[0398]

[0274] Aspect 69: An apparatus for facilitating dual connectivity at a network node, comprising at least one means for performing a method of any of aspects 49 through 55.

[0399]

[0275] Aspect 70: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for facilitating dual connectivity, the code comprising instructions executable by a processor to perform a method of any of aspects 49 through 55.

[0400]

[0276] The aforementioned description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to further aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more”. As used herein, including in the claims, “or” as used in a list of items (e.g., a list of items prefaced by a phrase such as “at least one of’ or “one or more of’) indicates an inclusive list such that, for example, a list of at least one of A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Further, a phrase such as “at least two of’ or “two or more of’) indicates an inclusive list such that, for example, a list of at least two of A, B, or C means AB or AC or BC or ABC (e.g., A and B and C). Also, as used herein, the phrase

[0401] 0097-6363PCT

[0402]

[0403] “based on” shall not be construed as a reference to a closed set of conditions. For example, an example step that is described as “based on condition A” may be based on both a condition A and a condition B without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, as used herein, the phrase “based on” shall be construed in the same manner as the phrase “based at least in part on”.

[0404]

[0277] No element, act, or instruction used herein should be construed as critical or essential unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the articles “a” and “an” are intended to include one or more items and may be used interchangeably with “one or more” or “two or more”. Further, as used herein, the article “the” is intended to include one or more items referenced in connection with the article “the” and may be used interchangeably with “the one or more”. Furthermore, as used herein, the terms “set” and “group” are intended to include one or more items (e.g., related items, unrelated items, or a combination of related and unrelated items), and may be used interchangeably with “one or more” or “two or more”. Where only one item is intended, the phrase “only one” or similar language is used. Also, as used herein, the term “or” is intended to be inclusive when used in a series and may be used interchangeably with “and / or,” unless explicitly stated otherwise (e.g., if used in combination with “either” or “only one of’). Further, the phrase “dual-connectivity” or “dual connectivity” may include two or more than two connections.

[0405]

[0278] All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. No claim element is to be construed as a means plus function unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.” Further, unless stated otherwise, terms such as “first” and “second” are used to arbitrarily distinguish between the elements such terms describe. Thus, these terms are not necessarily intended to indicate temporal or other prioritization of such elements. The term “coupled” may refer to at least one of direct or indirect coupling that may not necessarily be by way of mechanical or any physical means. Further, a system or method that “comprises”, “has”, “have”, “having”, or “includes” one or more elements possesses those one or more elements but is not limited to possessing only those one or more elements.

[0406] 0097-6363PCT

Claims

CLAIMSWe Claim:

1. A user equipment, comprising:one or more memories; andone or more processors coupled with the one or more memories, wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the user equipment to:receive cell group compatibility information from a first network node; select based on the cell group compatibility information, a first cell group and a second cell group for Radio Access Network (RAN) aggregation, wherein the first cell group is associated with the first network node; andcommunicate via, a first wireless connection over the first cell group with the first network node and a second wireless connection over the second cell group with a second network node.

2. The user equipment of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause the user equipment to receive the cell group compatibility information via at least one of an in-band message, an out-of-band message, or a radio resource control signal.

3. The user equipment of claim 1, wherein the cell group compatibility information indicates two or more cell groups that include the first cell group and the second cell group.

4. The user equipment of claim 3, wherein the cell group compatibility information further indicates the two or more cell groups, ranked in an order of priority.

5. The user equipment of claim 3, wherein the cell group compatibility information further indicates at least one of: two or more collocated frequencies associated with the two or more cell groups, two or more physical cell identities (PCIs) associated with the two or more cell groups, or two or more reference signal received power thresholds associated with the two or more cell groups.

6. The user equipment of claim 3, wherein the cell group compatibility information further indicates two or more non-collocated frequencies associated with the two or more cell groups.

7. The user equipment of claim 3, wherein the cell group compatibility information further indicates whether the second cell group is in synchronization with the first cell group for the RAN aggregation.0097-6363PCT8. The user equipment of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause the user equipment to simultaneously establish the first wireless connection over the first cell group and the second wireless connection over the second cell group.

9. The user equipment of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause the user equipment to sequentially establish the first wireless connection over the first cell group and the second wireless connection over the second cell group.

10. The user equipment of claim 9, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause the user equipment to establish the second wireless connection after the first wireless connection.

11. The user equipment of claim 9, wherein for the sequential establishment of the first wireless connection and the second wireless connection, the one or more processors are further configured to cause the user equipment to:establish the first wireless connection over the first cell group with the first network node based on the selection of the first cell group;receive configuration data from the first network node via the first wireless connection; select the second cell group based on the configuration data and the cell group compatibility information; andestablish the second wireless connection over the selected second cell group with the second network node.

12. The user equipment of claim 11, wherein the configuration data comprises at least one of a bandwidth supported by the first cell group, a count of multiple input multiple output layers associated with the first cell group, or component carrier data associated with the first cell group.

13. The user equipment of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause the user equipment to:detect a link failure in one of the first wireless connection or the second wireless connection; select, based on the cell group compatibility information, a third cell group for the RAN aggregation with one of the first cell group or the second cell group; andcommunicate based on the detected link failure, via one of the first wireless connection or the second wireless connection over the third cell group with a third network node.

14. The user equipment of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause the user equipment to:receive an indication of a handover from the second network node to a third network node via the second wireless connection; and0097-6363PCTdetermine, based on the indication of the handover, whether the first network node is compatible with the third network node for the RAN aggregation, whereinthe third network node is associated with a third cell group, andthe determination of whether the first network node is compatible with the third network node for the RAN aggregation is based on the cell group compatibility information.

15. The user equipment of claim 14, wherein based on the determination that the third network node and the first network node are incompatible for the RAN aggregation, the one or more processors are further configured to cause the user equipment to:select, based on the cell group compatibility information, a fourth cell group for the RAN aggregation with the third cell group; andcommunicate via, the first wireless connection over the fourth cell group with a fourth network node and the second wireless connection over the third cell group with the third network node.

16. The user equipment of claim 14, wherein based on the determination that the third network node and the first network node are incompatible for the RAN aggregation, the one or more processors are further configured to cause the user equipment to transmit a notification to the first network node regarding the handover from the second network node to the third network node.

17. The user equipment of claim 16, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause the user equipment to instruct the first network node, based on the notification, to one of:modify configuration data associated with the first wireless connection to establish compatibility between the first network node and the third network node for the RAN aggregation, orhandover to a fourth network node that is compatible with the third network node for the RAN aggregation.

18. The user equipment of claim 14, wherein based on the determination that the third network node and the first network node are compatible for the RAN aggregation, the one or more processors are further configured to cause the user equipment to communicate via the second wireless connection with the third network node over the third cell group.

19. The user equipment of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause the user equipment to receive, from the first network node, an indication regarding a capability of the first network node to support the RAN aggregation, wherein the selection of the first cell group and the second cell group is further based on the reception of the indication.0097-6363PCT20. The user equipment of claim 19, wherein the reception of the indication is prior to the reception of the cell group compatibility information.

21. A first network node, comprising:one or more memories; andone or more processors coupled with the one or more memories, wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the first network node to:transmit an indication to a user equipment, regarding a capability of the first network node to support Radio Access Network (RAN) aggregation;communicate via a first wireless connection over a first cell group with the user equipment based on the transmitted indication;select a second cell group associated with a second network node to support the RAN aggregation with the first cell group; andtransmit first group compatibility information to the user equipment indicating a compatibility of the first cell group with the second cell group for the RAN aggregation, wherein, based on the first group compatibility information, the user equipment and the second network node communicate via a second wireless connection over the second cell group.

22. The first network node of claim 21, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause the first network node to transmit second group compatibility information associated with the first cell group based on the transmission of the indication, to the user equipment, wherein the first network node is further configured to communicate via the first wireless connection based on the second group compatibility information.

23. The first network node of claim 21 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause the first network node to:coordinate with the second network node, a handover of at least one of the second network node to a third network node or the first network node to a fourth network node for the RAN aggregation; andindicate to the user equipment, based on the coordination with the second network node, the handover of the at least one of the first network node to the fourth network node or the second network node to the third network node, whereinbased on the indication of the handover and the first group compatibility information, at least one of (i) the user equipment and the third network node communicate via the second wireless connection over a third cell group or (ii) the user equipment and the fourth network node communicate via the first wireless connection over a fourth cell group.0097-6363PCT24. The first network node of claim 21, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause the first network node to receive a notification from the user equipment regarding a handover from the second network node to a third network node for the RAN aggregation, and instructions to one of:modify configuration data associated with the first wireless connection to establish compatibility with the third network node for the RAN aggregation, orhandover to a fourth network node that is compatible with the third network node for the RAN aggregation.

25. The first network node of claim 24, wherein based on the instructions, the one or more processors are further configured to cause the first network node to modify the configuration data associated with the first wireless connection to establish the compatibility between the first network node and the third network node for the RAN aggregation.

26. The first network node of claim 24, whereinbased on the instructions, the one or more processors are further configured to cause the first network node to handover to the fourth network node that is compatible with the third network node for the RAN aggregation based on an incompatibility between the first network node and the fourth network node, andbased on the handover to the fourth network node, the user equipment and the fourth network node communicate via the first wireless connection over a fourth cell group.

27. A user equipment, comprising:one or more memories; andone or more processors coupled with the one or more memories, wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the user equipment to:communicate via a first wireless connection over a first cell group with a first network node;receive via the first wireless connection, cell group compatibility information from the first network node, wherein the cell group compatibility information indicates a compatibility between the first cell group and a second cell group for Radio Access Network (RAN) aggregation; andcommunicate via a second wireless connection over the second cell group with a second network node based on the received cell group compatibility information.

28. The user equipment of claim 27, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to cause the user equipment to one of simultaneously or sequentially, establish the first wireless connection over the first cell group and the second wireless connection over the second cell group.0097-6363PCT29. A first network node, comprising:one or more memories; andone or more processors coupled with the one or more memories, wherein the one or more processors are configured to cause the first network node to:transmit cell group compatibility information to a user equipment, wherein the cell group compatibility information indicates a compatibility of a first cell group associated with the first network node for radio access network aggregation with a second cell group associated with a second network node; andcommunicate, via a first wireless connection over the first cell group, with the user equipment based on the transmission of the cell group compatibility information, wherein based on the cell group compatibility information, the user equipment and the second network node communicate via a second wireless connection over the second cell group.

30. The first network node of claim 29, wherein the cell group compatibility information further indicates two or more cell groups that include the first cell group and the second cell group.

31. A method executed at a user equipment, the method comprising:receiving cell group compatibility information, from a first network node, wherein the cell group compatibility information indicates a compatibility of a first cell group associated with the first network node for radio access network aggregation with a second cell group associated with a second network node; andcommunicating via, a first wireless connection over the first cell group with the first network node and a second wireless connection over the second cell group with the second network node.

32. A method executed at a first network node, the method comprising:transmitting cell group compatibility information to a user equipment, wherein the cell group compatibility information indicates a compatibility of a first cell group associated with the first network node for radio access network aggregation with a second cell group associated with a second network node; andcommunicating via a first wireless connection over the first cell group, with the user equipment based on the transmission of the cell group compatibility information, wherein based on the cell group compatibility information, the user equipment and the second network node communicate via a second wireless connection over the second cell group.0097-6363PCT

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