Adaptive PDCP Entity Placement for Cell-Free Mobility Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The static placement of PDCP entities in cell-free networks complicates user plane data management, especially in dynamic and distributed architectures, leading to potential disruptions and increased latency during UE mobility due to rapid changes in connectivity.
Innovation Solution
Implementing dynamic PDCP management and placement at various network levels, including DU, CU, and CN levels, allowing seamless transitions for intra-CU and inter-CU mobility, minimizing service disruptions and latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If static PDCP entity placement is used in cell-free networks, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to service disruptions and latency during UE mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic PDCP entity placement where the PDCP entity can be relocated between different network nodes (DU, CU, or CN levels) based on real-time UE mobility patterns and connectivity conditions. This dynamic adaptation ensures service continuity by maintaining active PDCP entities at nodes that currently have optimal connectivity to the UE, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability during mobility and management complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cluster head as an intermediary entity that coordinates PDCP entity placement and management across multiple distributed units. The cluster head receives mobility information, determines optimal PDCP entity locations, and manages the placement decisions, thereby reducing the overall system complexity while maintaining reliable service during UE mobility through centralized coordination.
2Loss of time
If dynamic PDCP entity placement is implemented at multiple network levels, then reliability and service continuity are improved during UE mobility, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the PDCP entity management function across different network levels (DU, CU, and CN), allowing each level to independently manage PDCP entities for UEs within its jurisdiction. This segmentation enables localized decision-making that reduces latency during mobility transitions, as the PDCP entity can be quickly relocated to the nearest appropriate node without requiring end-to-end coordination across the entire network, thereby addressing the time loss issue while managing complexity through hierarchical decomposition.
3Productivity
If PDCP entities are placed at distributed units for low-latency access, then speed and response time are improved, but device complexity and management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service mechanisms where PDCP entities automatically adapt their placement location based on real-time connectivity conditions and UE mobility patterns without requiring manual configuration or complex centralized control. The system monitors connectivity metrics and autonomously relocates PDCP entities to optimal nodes, thereby maintaining high data transmission efficiency while simplifying operations through automated decision-making that eliminates the need for manual management of distributed PDCP entities.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for adaptive packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) entity management in wireless communication system implementing a cell-free network are discussed herein. A network identifies a PDCP network level change trigger for a first radio bearer of a UE served by a cluster of base stations, determines, in response to identifying the PDCP network level change trigger for the first radio bearer, to deactivate a first PDCP entity for the first radio bearer that is at a first network level and to activate a second PDCP entity for the first radio bearer at a second network level, instructs the first PDCP entity at the first network level to enter a sleep state, and instructs the second PDCP entity at the second network level to enter an active state. Details about and conditions for the establishment and/or use of PDCP entities at various network levels are discussed.