Direct Secondary-Node Signaling for Conditional PSCell Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in managing conditional PSCell changes in Multi-Radio Dual Connectivity (MR-DC) scenarios, particularly in preparing inter-secondary node PSCell changes without involving the master node, leading to suboptimal network performance and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus and method enable direct or indirect communication between serving and target secondary nodes via Xn or X2 interfaces, allowing preparation requests and responses for conditional PSCell changes, with the master node maintaining transparency and enabling direct PSCell preparation when feasible, using transparent data containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the master node is involved in preparing inter-secondary node PSCell changes, then network control and coordination are improved, but network complexity and signaling overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the PSCell change preparation process into two independent phases: a first phase where the serving secondary node directly prepares the target PSCell by exchanging preparation requests and responses with the target secondary node, and a second phase where the master node is involved for conditional execution. This segmentation allows the serving secondary node to operate autonomously during preparation, reducing network complexity while maintaining control coordination through the conditional execution mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a conditional execution mechanism as an intermediary layer between the serving secondary node and the master node. The serving secondary node prepares the PSCell change locally and notifies the master node through a notification message, which then decides whether to execute the change based on predefined conditions. This intermediary approach reduces direct involvement of the master node in preparation while maintaining network control.
2Productivity
If direct communication between serving and target secondary nodes is enabled, then preparation efficiency is improved, but network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by enabling the serving secondary node to directly prepare the target PSCell before the actual PSCell change execution. The serving secondary node exchanges preparation requests and responses with the target secondary node to pre-configure everything needed for the change. This preliminary preparation phase improves efficiency by eliminating the need for master node involvement in preparation, while the standardized preparation protocol manages network complexity.
3Speed
If master node involvement in PSCell change preparation is minimized, then network flexibility and speed are improved, but control precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback through the notification message mechanism. The serving secondary node notifies the master node about the prepared PSCell change, and the master node provides feedback by evaluating predefined conditions (such as radio link quality or network load) to decide whether to execute the change. This feedback loop maintains control precision by ensuring the master node has final say based on real-time network conditions, while the preparation speed is improved by minimizing master node involvement in the preparation phase.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, comprising at least one processor, and at least one memory storing instructions, the at least one memory and the instructions configured to, with the at least one processor, cause a serving secondary node to transmit to a target secondary node a preparation request indicating that an inter-secondary node conditional PSCell change is to be prepared.