Dual-Connectivity Base Station Coordination for Terminal Overheating

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Solution Overview

Problem

In dual connectivity scenarios like EN-DC, there is no means for the secondary node (gNB) to know the number of SCells or configuration amount to be reduced to address overheating, as this information is not communicated from the master node (eNB).

Innovation Solution

The master node (eNB) determines the total configuration amount to be reduced, including both MCG and SCG sides, and communicates this to the secondary node (gNB) through specific messages like CG-ConfigInfo, ensuring both nodes align on the necessary reduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the master node determines the total configuration amount to be reduced, then the overheating issue can be addressed, but the secondary node cannot know the configuration amount to be reduced without communication from the master node

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverheating managementVSAvoidconfiguration amount information
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The master node acts as an intermediary that receives overheating assistance information from the terminal, determines the configuration amount to be reduced, and communicates this information to the secondary node through specific messages like CG-ConfigInfo. This intermediary role ensures that the secondary node obtains the necessary information without directly interacting with the terminal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If the master node communicates the configuration amount to the secondary node, then the secondary node can accurately reduce SCell count, but the system complexity increases due to additional communication overhead

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSCell reduction accuracyVSAvoidcommunication protocol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The configuration amount information is merged into existing communication messages such as CG-ConfigInfo rather than creating separate dedicated signaling messages. This approach reduces system complexity by utilizing existing communication infrastructure while still achieving accurate configuration amount transmission to the secondary node.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4135440B1Terminal and base station device
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 NTT DOCOMO INC
  • EP4135440B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4135440B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4135440B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A base station apparatus functioning as a first base station apparatus in a communication system including the first base station apparatus and a second base station apparatus that perform communication with a terminal by dual connectivity, comprising: a reception unit configured to receive, from the terminal, a total configuration amount that is a configuration amount reduced for coping terminal overheating and that is a configuration amount for both of the first base station apparatus and the second base station apparatus; a control unit configured, based on the total configuration amount, to determine a configuration amount for the first base station apparatus and a configuration amount for the second base station apparatus; and a transmission unit configured to transmit the configuration amount for the second base station apparatus to the second base station apparatus.