Conditional Secondary Node Addition in Dual Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing procedures for adding or changing a secondary node (SN) in dual connectivity (DC) scenarios are prone to latency and failure, particularly due to the immediate nature of messaging between radio access network (RAN) nodes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing conditional procedures for SN-related operations, where the user equipment (UE) determines whether conditions are met before connecting to a secondary cell, and network nodes manage the distribution of conditional configurations using specific containers in acknowledgement messages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If immediate SN addition/change procedures are used with RRC signaling between RAN nodes, then the procedure can be executed quickly, but latency increases and the probability of failure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the UE prepare and evaluate conditions in advance before executing the SN addition or change procedure. The UE is configured with conditions (e.g., signal quality thresholds, network availability) that must be satisfied before the actual connection change occurs. This preparation phase allows the UE to assess feasibility beforehand, reducing the risk of procedure failure during execution while maintaining efficient processing.
2Reliability
If conditional procedures are implemented where UE determines conditions before connecting, then reliability improves, but additional processing time is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the UE to autonomously evaluate conditions and make decisions about SN addition or change without requiring continuous network control. The UE independently assesses whether configured conditions are met (e.g., measuring signal quality against thresholds) and can trigger procedures accordingly. This self-service approach reduces network processing overhead while maintaining high reliability through UE-based condition verification.
3Reliability
If multiple configuration parameters and security keys are transmitted in RRC reconfiguration messages, then the UE can successfully connect to the SN, but the messaging complexity and latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the complex RRC reconfiguration message into separate functional components: condition configuration messages, security key derivation parameters, and connection establishment messages. This segmentation allows the UE to process and validate each component independently, reducing overall messaging complexity while ensuring reliable connection through systematic parameter transmission and verification.
Data Source
AI summary
A master node (MN) can implement a method for managing a conditional procedure that involves a user equipment (UE), a candidate secondary node (C-SN), and the MN. The method may include transmitting, to the C-SN, a request to perform the conditional procedure related to the C-SN and the UE, the conditional procedure associated with a condition and a conditional configuration according to which the UE connects to the C-SN when the condition is satisfied; receiving, from the C-SN, a response to the request, the response including an SN-to-MN container; and retrieving the conditional configuration from the SN-to-MN container.