Dual Connectivity Cell Addition via Intermediary Base Station
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in configuring a low-power base station cell for dual connectivity in LTE systems, specifically adding a cell of the low-power base station while a user equipment (UE) is connected to a macro cell base station and assigning a cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI) for simultaneous communication.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a macro cell base station transmitting a request message to a low-power base station for cell addition, receiving system information, and then transmitting a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message to the UE, enabling dual connectivity by configuring the UE to communicate with both base stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a UE communicates with only a macro cell base station, then the connection management is simple, but the data throughput is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the base station functionality into two independent entities: a macro cell base station (first base station) and a low-power base station (second base station). Each base station independently manages its own cell and assigns C-RNTIs, allowing the UE to simultaneously communicate with both without requiring one base station to manage the other's resources. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling higher throughput through dual connectivity while keeping each base station's management complexity independent and manageable.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a cell of low-power base station is added while UE is connected to macro cell base station, then dual connectivity is achieved, but the configuration process is complex and C-RNTI assignment is unclear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the low-power base station to autonomously generate and assign its own C-RNTI to the UE without requiring the macro cell base station to allocate or manage it. The second base station independently performs the cell addition configuration and C-RNTI assignment, while the first base station simply forwards necessary messages. This self-service approach reduces configuration complexity by eliminating inter-dependent management procedures.
3Productivity
If simultaneous communication with multiple base stations is implemented, then data throughput increases, but the message transmission and coordination overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the first base station as an intermediary that forwards essential messages between the second base station and the UE. The first base station relays the RRC connection reconfiguration message containing the C-RNTI assignment from the second base station to the UE, and forwards UE responses back to the second base station. This intermediary approach reduces message overhead by consolidating coordination through a single node rather than requiring direct peer-to-peer messaging between all entities.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of handling a cell addition for dual connectivity in a communication system comprising a communication device, a first base station and a second base station, the communication device being connected to the first base station is disclosed. The method is utilized in the first base station and comprises transmitting a request message to the second base station, for requesting a cell addition for the communication device; receiving a response message comprising system information of a cell of the second base station from the second base station in response to the request message; and transmitting a first radio resource control (RRC) message comprising the system information to the communication device, after receiving the response message.