5G CU-DU Gap Sharing Parameter Transfer via F1 Signaling

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Solution Overview

Problem

In current 5G communication systems, the Central Unit (CU) lacks a specified method to obtain gap sharing parameters, leading to inaccurate and timely determination by terminal devices.

Innovation Solution

A method where the Distributed Unit (DU) sends a gap sharing parameter to the CU, enabling the CU to accurately obtain it, which is then relayed to terminal devices, improving measurement configuration efficiency and reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the CU does not have a specified method to obtain gap sharing parameters, then the system structure remains simple, but the measurement configuration accuracy and timeliness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegap sharing parameter accuracyVSAvoidparameter obtaining mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The DU acts as an intermediary component that obtains gap sharing parameters from the MAC layer and transfers them to the CU. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by introducing a dedicated parameter transfer mechanism (F1 interface signaling) that enables accurate parameter obtaining without requiring the CU to directly complexly interact with lower layers, thus improving measurement precision while maintaining manageable system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments the parameter obtaining function by separating it into distinct functional modules: the DU handles parameter extraction from MAC layer, while the CU handles parameter utilization for measurement configuration. This segmentation allows each component to focus on its specific task, improving overall system efficiency and parameter accuracy without creating excessive complexity in any single module

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of time

If the CU lacks a specified method to obtain gap sharing parameters, then the signaling procedure remains simple, but the parameter obtaining timeliness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparameter obtaining timeVSAvoidsignaling procedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The DU performs preliminary action by proactively obtaining and preparing gap sharing parameters from the MAC layer before the CU needs them for measurement configuration. The parameter is extracted and transferred in advance through the F1 interface, ensuring the CU has timely access to accurate parameters without requiring complex real-time signaling procedures during critical measurement moments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The F1 interface serves as a dedicated intermediary channel that enables timely parameter transfer from DU to CU. This specialized signaling path ensures fast and reliable parameter transmission, reducing time loss while maintaining procedure clarity through standardized interface protocols

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the terminal device cannot accurately obtain gap sharing parameters in time, then the measurement configuration process remains simple, but the measurement configuration reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement configuration reliabilityVSAvoidparameter transfer mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The DU-CU interface acts as a reliable intermediary that ensures accurate parameter transfer. The F1 interface provides structured, protocol-governed communication that guarantees parameter integrity and timeliness, thereby improving measurement configuration reliability without introducing excessive complexity through standardized signaling procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the CU confirms receipt and proper processing of gap sharing parameters from the DU. This feedback loop ensures parameter accuracy and timeliness are verified, enhancing measurement configuration reliability while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized confirmation protocols

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4012958B1Communication method and related device
Publication Date: 2025.03.26 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4012958B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4012958B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4012958B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

Embodiments of this application provide a communication method and a related device. The method includes: sending, by a first network device, a first parameter to a second network device, where the first parameter is used to indicate a proportion of measurement gap sharing between different measurement types. The first network device has a radio link control layer function, a media access control layer function, and a physical layer function. The second network device has a packet data convergence protocol layer function, a service data adaptation protocol layer function, and a radio resource control layer function. Through implementation of the method, the second network device can accurately obtain the first parameter in time, and finally, a terminal device can accurately perform measurement based on the first parameter in time.