Dual-Connectivity Secondary Access Node Selection Using UE Power Class and Antenna Count
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In dual-connectivity wireless networks, selecting the appropriate secondary access node (SN) for a user equipment (UE) to optimize uplink receive signal strength is challenging, particularly when the UE has varying power classes and access nodes with different numbers of receive antennas, affecting the choice of SN for providing effective dual-connectivity service.
Innovation Solution
The method involves determining the UE's power class and selecting a secondary access node based on the number of its receive antennas, where UEs with low power classes are served by SNs with more receive antennas to enhance uplink antenna gain, and those with high power classes are served by SNs with fewer receive antennas, thereby optimizing dual-connectivity configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a UE with low power class is served by an SN with more receive antennas, then uplink receive signal strength is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by matching the number of receive antennas at the SN to the specific power class of each UE. Instead of uniformly deploying high-capability SNs with many antennas throughout the network, the system selectively assigns SNs with appropriate antenna counts based on local UE requirements. Low power class UEs are paired with SNs having more receive antennas to compensate for their limited transmit power, while high power class UEs are served by SNs with fewer antennas, optimizing resource allocation at each local connection point.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of receive antenna quantity at the SN based on the UE's power class. The system dynamically adjusts the antenna configuration parameter of the SN to match the transmit power capability of the connected UE. This parameter adaptation allows the network to optimize uplink receive signal strength by aligning the SN's receive capacity with the UE's transmit power level, rather than using a fixed antenna configuration for all UEs.
2Reliability
If dual-connectivity service is configured with optimized SN selection, then uplink receive signal strength is improved, but network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing the relationship between UE power classes and appropriate SN antenna configurations before dual-connectivity service deployment. The network prepares a mapping or lookup table that correlates UE power class levels with recommended SN antenna counts, enabling rapid SN selection during UE connection establishment. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex real-time calculations when configuring dual-connectivity, as the optimal SN can be selected based on pre-determined criteria.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamics by making the SN selection process adaptive to UE power class variations. Rather than using a static, one-size-fits-all approach to dual-connectivity configuration, the system dynamically adjusts the SN choice based on the specific power class of each connecting UE. This dynamic adaptation allows the network to optimize performance for each UE-SN pairing while maintaining a manageable configuration process through standardized selection criteria.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for controlling configuration of dual-connectivity service for a user equipment device (UE), where the dual-connectivity service would involve the UE being served concurrently by a first access node over a first connection according to a first radio access technology (RAT) and by a second access node over a second connection according to a second RAT. An example method includes selecting the second access node to be used in the dual-connectivity service of the UE, with the selecting being based cooperatively on (i) a power class of the UE and (ii) a quantity of receive antennas of the second access node. And the example method further includes, based on the selecting, configuring the dual-connectivity service for the UE.