Band Combination Prioritization for Dual Connectivity

Solution Overview

Problem

In the MR-DC (Multi Radio Access Technology dual connectivity) system, user devices face challenges in determining the appropriate band combinations for simultaneous communication between LTE and NR systems, as existing methods fail to efficiently prioritize and combine supported bands for optimal connectivity.

Innovation Solution

The user device generates a list of supported band combinations by prioritizing MR-DC band combinations, followed by NR and E-UTRA band combinations, and transmits this information to the base station, ensuring that the band combinations are ordered to facilitate seamless dual connectivity across multiple RATs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the user device notifies all possible band combinations without prioritization, then the completeness of capability information is improved, but the complexity of processing and determining the appropriate band combination increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The user device performs preliminary sorting of band combinations based on priority criteria before notification. The control unit sorts band combinations in descending order of priority, considering factors such as MR-DC band combinations (highest priority), NR band combinations, and E-UTRA band combinations (lowest priority). This preliminary organization reduces the processing burden on both the user device and base station when determining the appropriate band combination to use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the system supports multiple RATs (E-UTRA, NR, MR-DC) with different band combinations, then the adaptability of the communication system is improved, but the difficulty of determining and switching between band combinations increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments band combinations into distinct priority categories based on the radio access technology type. Band combinations are divided into: (1) MR-DC band combinations (highest priority), (2) NR band combinations (medium priority), and (3) E-UTRA band combinations (lowest priority). This segmentation allows the user device and base station to systematically evaluate and select appropriate band combinations by checking priorities in order, reducing the complexity of multi-RAT band combination management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the user device switches processing between different RAT band combinations dynamically, then the flexibility of the communication system is improved, but the processing time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The user device performs preliminary sorting and prioritization of band combinations before actual communication occurs. The control unit organizes all possible band combinations in descending order of priority (MR-DC > NR > E-UTRA) and stores this sorted list. When switching between RATs, the device and base station can quickly determine the appropriate band combination by referencing this pre-sorted list, significantly reducing the time required for band combination switching during dynamic RAT changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3876570B1Capability information exchange regarding supported band combination
Publication Date: 2024.08.14
  • EP3876570B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3876570B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3876570B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A user device includes a receiving unit configured to receive first information and second information from a base station device, the first information indicating one or more bands that are candidates for a band combination to be supported, the second information indicating which RAT (Radio Access Technology) is to be used; a control unit configured to determine, based on the second information, the band combination to be supported from among the one or more bands included in the first information; and a transmitting unit configured to transmit, to the base station device, terminal capability information including the determined band combination.