Assisted RRC Connectivity Using an Intermediary Node
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for further improvements in 5G NR technology to enhance communication systems, particularly in establishing radio resource control (RRC) connections between user equipment (UE), primary nodes (PN), and assistant nodes (AN) to improve connectivity and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus are provided for UE, PN, and AN to transmit and receive RRC connection parameters to establish and manage RRC connections, utilizing assisted connectivity techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a UE establishes a direct RRC connection with a primary node (PN), then connection reliability is improved, but connection establishment time increases and signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an assistant node (AN) as an intermediary between the UE and PN. The AN receives RRC messages from the UE and forwards them to the PN, enabling indirect connection establishment. This mediator approach allows the UE to establish connection faster through the AN while the PN maintains reliable connection management, resolving the contradiction between connection reliability and establishment time.
2Reliability
If a UE establishes a direct RRC connection with a primary node (PN), then connection reliability is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The assistant node (AN) acts as a signaling intermediary that consolidates and manages RRC message forwarding between UE and PN. By introducing the AN as a mediator, the patent reduces the direct signaling burden on the PN while maintaining connection reliability, as the AN handles the complex signaling interactions and forwards only essential messages to the PN.
3Productivity
If assisted connectivity through an assistant node (AN) is used, then connection establishment time is reduced and signaling overhead is reduced, but connection reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designates the AN as a trusted intermediary that maintains secure forwarding relationships with both the UE and PN. The AN relays RRC messages between the UE and PN without compromising the integrity or reliability of the connection, enabling faster connection establishment while preserving reliability through the mediator's controlled forwarding mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary configuration where the AN is pre-configured with forwarding rules and security parameters for RRC message relay. This preliminary setup allows the AN to immediately begin assisting connection establishment without additional negotiation delays, thereby improving connection establishment speed while maintaining reliability through pre-validated forwarding paths.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure provides systems, devices, apparatus, and methods, including computer programs encoded on storage media, for assisted connectivity techniques. For example, a UE may transmit, to an AN, a request to establish a RRC connection with a PN, and the AN may further transmit, to the PN, the request received from the UE to establish the RRC connection with the PN. After receiving the request, the PN may transmit, to the AN, one or more RRC connection parameters for the RRC connection with the UE, and the AN may further transmit, to the UE, the one or more connection parameters received from the PN for establishing the RRC connection with the PN. Based on the one or more parameters received from the AN, the UE may establish the RRC connection with the PN.