CU-DU Coverage Indicator Signaling for Cell State Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies fail to effectively transmit cell coverage state indicators in a CU-DU split architecture, which hampers network performance optimization in communication systems.

Innovation Solution

A communication method and apparatus are introduced to transmit cell coverage state indicators between a distributed unit (DU) and a centralized unit (CU) in a CU-DU split architecture, enabling the DU to determine and send coverage indicators to the CU, and vice versa, allowing for improved network performance through coordinated antenna parameter adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a CU-DU split architecture is deployed to improve network flexibility and scalability, then network adaptability is improved, but the ability to transmit cell coverage state indicators is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork flexibilityVSAvoidcell coverage state indicator transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The base station is segmented into CU and DU units with clear functional division. The CU handles higher-layer protocols while the DU handles lower-layer protocols, allowing independent optimization of each unit while maintaining overall system functionality for indicator transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An F1 interface is introduced as an intermediary communication channel between CU and DU. This standardized interface carries cell coverage state indicators and other control information, enabling information transmission across the split architecture without requiring direct connection between all components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If coverage state indication is implemented in traditional architecture to optimize cell coverage, then network optimization capability is improved, but device complexity increases when adapting to CU-DU split

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork optimization capabilityVSAvoidarchitecture complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The F1 interface is designed as a universal communication channel that handles multiple functions including cell coverage state indication, configuration management, and control signaling. This multi-functional approach avoids creating separate dedicated channels for each function, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses configurable parameters and flexible message structures in the F1 interface that can be adapted to different deployment scenarios. Coverage state indicators are transmitted using standardized information elements that can be enabled or disabled based on specific network requirements, allowing complexity to be adjusted rather than fixed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4044752B1Communication methods, communication apparatuses, computer storage medium and computer program product
Publication Date: 2026.01.07 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4044752B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4044752B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4044752B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

This application provides a communication method and a communication apparatus, to implement transmission of a cell coverage state indicator in a centralized unit-distributed unit (CU-DU) split architecture, which improves network performance. The communication method includes: A distributed unit DU of a first network device determines a first coverage indicator. The DU of the first network device sends the first coverage indicator and a first identifier to a centralized unit CU of the first network device, where the first coverage indicator includes one or more of the following: a cell coverage state of a first cell, a cell deployment status indicator of the first cell, and cell replacing info of the first cell, and the first identifier is used to identify the first cell.