Cross Buffer Status Reporting in Dual Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
In dual connectivity communication systems, the independent schedulers at two eNBs connected via a non-ideal backhaul may not be aware of each other's scheduling decisions, leading to challenges in power control, where either excessive or underutilized UE power can result in reduced UL throughput due to inadequate buffer status reporting.
Innovation Solution
Implementing cross-cell group reporting of uplink transmission buffer status using a binary indication within the Buffer Status Report (BSR) to inform one base station about the availability of data in another cell group, allowing for more informed scheduling decisions without requiring knowledge of logical channel group configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If independent schedulers are used at two eNBs in dual connectivity, then scheduling flexibility and resource usage across eNBs are improved, but power control becomes challenging and UE maximum power may be exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where Buffer Status Reports (BSR) are exchanged between eNBs through the X2 interface. Each eNB receives buffer status information from the other eNB, allowing schedulers to adjust their resource allocation decisions. This feedback loop enables coordinated scheduling that prevents UE maximum power from being exceeded while maintaining scheduling flexibility across the dual connectivity architecture.
2Measurement precision
If detailed buffer status reporting is implemented for each cell group, then scheduling accuracy is improved, but signaling load toward the core network increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential buffer status information needed for scheduling decisions and transmits it between eNBs via the X2 interface, rather than sending detailed buffer status reports to the core network. This extraction approach provides sufficient scheduling accuracy while significantly reducing the signaling load toward the core network by handling buffer status coordination locally between eNBs.
3Use of energy by moving object
If cross-reporting of buffer status between cell groups is implemented, then power utilization is optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal Buffer Status Report mechanism that serves multiple functions: it reports buffer status to the serving eNB for scheduling decisions, simultaneously provides this information to the other eNB via X2 for coordinated scheduling, and enables power optimization across cell groups. This multi-functional approach optimizes UE power utilization without requiring separate complex reporting mechanisms for each eNB.
Data Source
Figure 4
AI summary
Various communication systems may benefit from buffer reporting. For example, in systems in which user equipment may use dual connectivity, it may be useful to provide cross-reporting of empty or non-empty buffers to each base station. A method can include determining, at a device for a plurality of cell groups, whether there is data to transmit on each cell group. The method can also include cross-reporting, to a base station of a first cell group of the plurality of cell groups, a buffer status indication corresponding to a second cell group of the plurality of cell groups. The buffer status indication can be a binary indication corresponding to the second cell group.