CU-DU Context Management in 5G Split Architecture
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G mobile communications systems, there is a lack of effective methods for managing the context of terminal devices when functions of a network device are split between centralized units (CU) and distributed units (DU), particularly during handover or radio link failure scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A transmission method and network device that enable effective management of terminal device context by allowing a CU and DU to exchange messages for context retrieval and processing, including identification information and access stratum context information, to maintain and re-establish radio resource control connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If functions of a network device are split into CU and DU, then network expansion and cost reduction are improved, but context management capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dedicated interface between CU and DU that serves as an intermediary channel for context transfer. This interface enables the DU to retrieve terminal device context information from the CU through standardized message protocols, ensuring reliable context management while maintaining the functional split architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the network device functions into separate CU and DU entities with clearly defined responsibilities. The CU handles higher-layer functions while the DU manages lower-layer functions, and the segmentation is maintained through standardized interfaces that enable cooperative context management across the split architecture.
2Reliability
If CU and DU share context information, then handover and radio link recovery are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes a dedicated interface as an intermediary mechanism between CU and DU for context information exchange. This interface provides structured message formats and protocols that simplify the complexity of sharing context information during handover and radio link recovery procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary context retrieval and preparation mechanisms where the CU pre-stores terminal device context information and makes it available to the DU through the shared interface. This preliminary action enables faster handover and radio link recovery by having context information ready before actual transitions occur.
Data Source
AI summary
This application provides a method, includes: receiving a second message from a second network node, wherein the second message comprises identification information of a terminal device, and wherein the identification information of the terminal device is in association with context information of the terminal device that is stored at a first network node; retrieving based on the identification information of the terminal device, the context information of the terminal device stored at the first network node; and, replacing the original cell radio network temporary identifier with a new cell radio network temporary identifier allocated by the first network node for the context information of the terminal device.