Carrier Aggregation with Stable PCC for Reduced Handover Overhead
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication networks in heterogeneous networks (HetNets) face challenges in efficiently managing handovers and optimizing carrier aggregation to enhance network capacity and reduce signaling overhead, particularly in dense deployments with various types of network nodes.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of carrier aggregation with a primary component carrier (PCC) and secondary component carriers (SCCs) that are dynamically added or removed, allowing seamless communication with multiple network nodes without triggering handovers, while maintaining the PCC to minimize handover frequency and optimize resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional handover procedures are used in heterogeneous networks, then network connectivity is maintained, but handover frequency increases and signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network connection is segmented into a persistent connection to the first network node and a secondary connection to the second network node. The UE maintains a radio resource control (RRC) connection with the first network node while establishing a secondary connection to the second network node, allowing independent management of each connection and reducing handover frequency.
Solution Approach 2:
The first network node serves multiple functions: it acts as both a primary serving node for control plane functions and as a relay for user plane data transmission to the second network node. This multi-functionality reduces the need for frequent handovers by consolidating control and data plane management.
2Reliability
If traditional handover procedures are used in heterogeneous networks, then network connectivity is maintained, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control plane signaling is extracted and centralized at the first network node, while user plane data transmission is separated to the second network node. This extraction reduces signaling overhead by consolidating RRC signaling with a single network node while maintaining data transmission capabilities with multiple nodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The first network node acts as an intermediary between the UE and the second network node. It receives control plane signaling from the UE and forwards user plane data to the second network node, reducing the signaling burden on the second network node and overall network signaling overhead.
3Adaptability or versatility
If carrier aggregation is implemented with dynamic SCC addition/removal, then resource allocation flexibility is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic secondary component carrier (SCC) addition and removal while maintaining a stable primary component carrier (PCC). The UE can dynamically add or remove SCCs based on network conditions without changing the PCC, providing resource allocation flexibility while maintaining system stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes physical layer parameters by adding or removing SCCs while keeping the RRC connection and PCC parameters stable. This allows flexible resource allocation through parameter changes at the physical layer without triggering complex higher-layer handover procedures.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A communication environment with carrier aggregation (CA) is disclosed in which a UE is configured for communication at a first time with a first network node via a primary component carrier (PCC) and a second network node via a secondary CC (SCC). At a second time, the UE is configured for communication with a third network node via the SCC at a second time. The UE maintains communication with the first network node via the PCC without triggering handover at the UE during the establishing communication with the third network node.