Dual Connectivity Establishment via Context Identifier
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current LTE networks lack a procedure for establishing dual connectivity when a wireless device initiates the selection of a second link, particularly in architectures where RAN functions are split between synchronous and asynchronous network elements, making it difficult to support multi-RAT integrated architectures and efficient use of multiple carriers.
Innovation Solution
The method involves the wireless device transmitting a request for connection to a candidate network element over a second wireless link, along with information identifying the first network element, to establish dual connectivity, allowing the network elements to split functions and enable the wireless device to connect to multiple air interfaces simultaneously.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the wireless device initiates the selection of a second link for dual connectivity, then the adaptability and network flexibility are improved, but the device complexity and procedure difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a context identifier as an intermediary element that the wireless device transmits to the target network element. This identifier enables the target element to locate and retrieve the device's context information from the source network element, thereby simplifying the dual connectivity establishment procedure without reducing adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the source network element store context information associated with a context identifier before the wireless device initiates dual connectivity. This pre-prepared context information allows the target network element to quickly establish connectivity without complex real-time negotiations, reducing procedural complexity while maintaining versatility
2Productivity
If network functions are split between synchronous and asynchronous network elements, then the network flexibility and performance are improved, but the difficulty of establishing dual connectivity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal context identifier mechanism that works across both synchronous and asynchronous network elements. The context identifier serves as a common interface that allows the target network element (regardless of its timing characteristics) to locate and retrieve context information from the source network element, thereby enabling dual connectivity establishment without increasing procedural difficulty despite the functional split
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to methods for supporting establishment of dual connectivity for a wireless device, performed in a wireless communication network. The wireless device is connected to a first network element via a second network element. The second network element and the wireless device are communicating over a first wireless link. Network functions are split between the first network element and the second network element. The method performed in the wireless device comprises transmitting (2110) a request for a connection to a third network element which is a candidate network element for establishing DC, transmitting (2120) information identifying the first network element to the third network element, and transmitting (2130) an identifier of the wireless device to the third network element, for enabling the establishment of dual connectivity for the wireless device. The disclosure also relates to the methods performed in the network elements, and to the corresponding apparatus.