Dynamic Anchor Cell Selection in Dual Connectivity Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dual connectivity systems in wireless mobile networks face challenges in dynamically selecting the most suitable anchor cell for optimal performance, particularly when transitioning between LTE and 5G NR, leading to potential degradation in user experience due to inadequate handover of mobile devices between different radio access technologies.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a processing system that determines dual connectivity ratings for neighboring cells, identifies a target cell based on these ratings, and initiates dual connectivity services by designating the target cell as a master cell, enabling the exchange of user plane messages between the mobile device and a secondary cell, thereby facilitating dynamic anchor cell selection and handover.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If dynamic anchor cell selection is implemented, then user experience and throughput are improved, but system complexity increases due to additional rating determination and handover coordination mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by determining dual connectivity ratings for neighboring cells in advance, before actual handover is needed. This allows the network to pre-evaluate and rank potential anchor cells based on various parameters, so that when handover is required, the selection can be made quickly without complex real-time calculations, thus improving throughput while managing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary rating mechanism that mediates between multiple base stations and the mobile device. The dual connectivity rating acts as an intermediary metric that simplifies the complex multi-base station coordination by providing a single evaluative score that incorporates various factors, making the handover decision process more manageable despite the underlying system complexity.
2Productivity
If dual connectivity with multiple base stations is maintained, then per-user throughput is improved, but control plane signaling load to the core network increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the anchor cell selection and rating determination functions from the core network and places them at the access network level (base stations). By taking out the complex multi-base station coordination logic from the core control plane and implementing it locally at the base stations, the system maintains dual connectivity for high throughput while reducing the signaling load on the core network.
3Reliability
If LTE and 5G NR co-exist for extended period, then network reliability is improved, but adaptability of mobile devices increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system manages the complexity of LTE-5G co-existence by changing parameters dynamically - specifically, by adjusting which radio access technology is used as the anchor based on determined ratings. The dual connectivity rating mechanism allows the system to flexibly switch between LTE and 5G anchor configurations without requiring permanent multi-mode operation, thus maintaining reliability while adapting to changing network conditions and reducing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, obtaining configuration update messages received from neighbor cells of a serving cell of a wireless network, wherein the configuration update messages include dual connectivity capability information of the neighbor cells. The neighbor cells are ranked according to the dual connectivity capability information resulting in a dual connectivity ranking. A target cell of the neighbor cells is selected according to the dual connectivity ranking and a dual connectivity capability of a mobile device, and a dual connectivity service is established according to the dual connectivity ranking. The dual connectivity service includes exchanging user plane messages between the mobile device, a master cell and a secondary cell of the wireless network. Other embodiments are disclosed.