Buffer Status Reporting in Dual-Connection Wireless Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

In dual connection mechanisms, user equipment (UE) inaccurately reports buffer status to both MeNB and SeNB, leading to excessive allocation of radio resources and resource wastage, as the current methods do not account for data distribution between the two eNBs during uplink data transmission.

Innovation Solution

The UE reports distinct buffer sizes to each eNB, specifically for data transmitted only through one eNB and data transmitted through both eNBs, allowing each eNB to allocate resources accurately based on the data it handles, thereby optimizing resource allocation and reducing waste.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the UE reports the total buffer size to both MeNB and SeNB, then the buffer status is fully reported, but the radio resources are excessively allocated and wasted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebuffer status reporting accuracyVSAvoidradio resource waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the buffer status reporting by dividing the total buffer size into two separate reports: one to the MeNB containing the first buffer size (for data transmitted only via MeNB), and another to the SeNB containing the second buffer size (for data transmitted only via SeNB). This segmentation eliminates the need for both eNBs to allocate resources for the entire buffer, thereby preventing resource waste while maintaining complete buffer status visibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the UE reports the same total buffer size to both MeNB and SeNB, then the reporting is simple, but the resource allocation becomes inaccurate and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebuffer status reporting simplicityVSAvoidresource allocation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of reporting the same total buffer size to both eNBs, the patent segments the buffer status into distinct portions: the first buffer size is reported to the MeNB and the second buffer size is reported to the SeNB. Each eNB then allocates resources based on its specific buffer portion, achieving both operational simplicity and allocation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If the UE reports distinct buffer sizes to each eNB, then the resource allocation accuracy is improved, but the signaling complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation accuracyVSAvoidsignaling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reduces signaling complexity by segmenting the buffer status report into two separate, targeted reports rather than sending redundant total buffer size information to both eNBs. Each eNB receives only the buffer size relevant to its data transmission responsibilities, eliminating unnecessary signaling while maintaining precise resource allocation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and separates the buffer status information into distinct components: the first buffer size portion is extracted and sent only to the MeNB, while the second buffer size portion is extracted and sent only to the SeNB. This extraction approach ensures each eNB receives precisely the information it needs without receiving redundant data, thereby reducing overall signaling complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3119116B1Buffer status reporting method, device, terminal, and enb
Publication Date: 2021.11.24 CHINA MOBILE COMM GRP CO LTD
  • EP3119116B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3119116B1 patent drawingFigure 4~7
  • EP3119116B1 patent drawingFigure 8~9

AI summary

A buffer status reporting method, device, terminal, and eNB are provided. The buffer status reporting method is used for a wireless communications terminal capable of operating in a dual-connection wireless communications network including a master eNB and a secondary eNB. The processing method includes the steps of determining target upload data; determining, in the target upload data, first data transmitted via either the master eNB or the secondary eNB, and second data transmitted via both of the master eNB and the secondary eNB; sending to the target eNB the total value of the first data buffer size and the second data buffer size, the first data buffer size being the size of the first data, and the second data buffer size being smaller than or equal to the size of the second data. Using the technical solution provided by the present disclosure, an eNB can determine the data buffer size corresponding to data transmitted via the eNB, and allocate resources only for those data needing to be transmitted via the eNB, preventing the eNB from allocating resources to all data needing to be transmitted.