Multi-Connectivity Control Plane Anchor for 5G Reliability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
5G networks face challenges in maintaining ultra-reliable low latency communications (URLLC) due to radio link failures and communication failures, which can lead to a lower quality of experience for users, as the time required to scan and attach to a new radio access technology (RAT) or identify a defective network element results in service interruptions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that allows for quick assignment of a new control plane anchor for user equipment (UE) by enabling two or more base stations to participate in control plane operations, either using the same or different radio access technologies, and utilizing shared data layers or common databases to manage connection information, ensuring seamless handovers and maintaining active control plane connections even in case of failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single control plane anchor (MeNB) is used to manage control plane operations, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates because the system cannot quickly recover from radio link failures or hardware failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-establishing multiple control plane anchors (MeNB and SeNB) and maintaining connection information in shared data layers before failures occur. When the MeNB fails, the SeNB can immediately take over control plane operations without requiring time-consuming scanning and attachment procedures, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces shared data layers as intermediaries that store connection information between base stations and user equipment. These data layers enable seamless transfer of control plane anchor functions by providing pre-stored connection parameters, allowing the SeNB to quickly assume the MeNB's role without direct real-time communication overhead, thereby improving reliability while managing complexity.
2Reliability
If multiple base stations participate in control plane operations with shared data layers, then reliability is improved through quick failure recovery, but device complexity increases due to additional coordination and data management requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments control plane functions by allowing different base stations (MeNB and SeNB) to independently maintain connection information in separate but synchronized data layers. This segmentation enables localized failure recovery where the SeNB can independently assume control plane operations without requiring complex system-wide reconfiguration, thus improving reliability while managing data management complexity through modular organization.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Various communication systems may benefit from increased reliability. For example, communication systems may benefit from robust multi-connectivity that ensures ultra-reliable connections between a user equipment and a core network. A method, in certain embodiments, may include detecting at a base station a connection opportunity with a user equipment that is connected to another base station. The another base station is a control anchor connected to the user equipment via at least a control plane connection. The base station is connected to the user equipment via at least a user plane connection. The method may also include informing the user equipment that the base station is switched to the control plane anchor. In addition, the method may include establishing a new connection between the base station and the user equipment. The new connection establishes the base station as the control plane anchor.