Central Unit Indication for 5G Signaling Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

In 5G wireless networks, the current architecture experiences delays in handover and multi-connectivity procedures due to excessive signaling required for determining whether ongoing procedures are inter-central unit or intra-central unit processes, leading to sub-optimal performance and longer completion times for handovers and SN/MN changes.

Innovation Solution

A method where the central unit of a network node sends an indication to the distributed unit to differentiate between inter-central unit and intra-central unit procedures, allowing the distributed unit to decide whether to use the control plane or user plane for sending information, thereby reducing the need for extensive signaling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the current 5G RAN architecture is used for handover and multi-connectivity procedures, then the network can support mobility and multi-connectivity functions, but excessive signaling is required to determine whether procedures are inter-central unit or intra-central unit processes, leading to delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandover procedure reliabilityVSAvoidhandover completion time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The central unit determines in advance whether a handover or multi-connectivity procedure is inter-central unit or intra-central unit before the distributed unit executes the procedure. This preliminary classification allows the distributed unit to select the appropriate signaling path without performing extensive determination signaling during the procedure execution, thereby reducing handover completion time while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of information

If extensive signaling is used to determine procedure type (inter-central unit vs intra-central unit), then accurate procedure routing can be achieved, but signaling overhead increases and procedure completion time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedure type information accuracyVSAvoidsignaling complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The determination of procedure type (inter-central unit vs intra-central unit) is extracted from the distributed unit and performed exclusively by the central unit. The central unit sends an indication to the distributed unit specifying the procedure type, eliminating the need for the distributed unit to engage in complex determination signaling. This extraction reduces signaling complexity while preserving accurate procedure type information

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS10805856B2Methods and units in a network node for handling communication with a wireless device

Publication Date: 2020.10.13 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

A central unit (300A) and a first distributed unit (300B) of a first network node (300) and methods therein, for handling a communication with a wireless device (302) in a wireless network. The central unit (300A) sends an indication to the first distributed unit (300B) to indicate whether a current procedure for the wireless device is an inter-central unit procedure or an intra-central unit procedure. The first distributed unit (300B) is thereby able to decide whether to send information about the communication to the central unit via a user plane or via a control plane, based on a reduced amount of signalling including the indication.