Dual-Connectivity Packet Splitting Without Xn Forwarding Delays
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing dual connectivity (DC) technology in data transmission experiences large data forwarding delays when using an Xn interface, which hinders the ability to meet both high data transmission rates and low delay requirements.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a splitting protocol layer that configures different sequence numbers for data packets sent to separate access network devices via Uu interfaces, bypassing the Xn interface to reduce delays and improve transmission efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data is forwarded through the Xn interface between primary and secondary network devices, then data transmission rate is improved through dual connectivity, but data transmission delay increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data forwarding function from the Xn interface path and relocates it to the Uu interface path. Specifically, the secondary network device sends data directly to the terminal device via the Uu interface, bypassing the Xn interface between network devices. This extraction of the forwarding function from the traditional path eliminates the forwarding delay while maintaining the dual connectivity data rate improvement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional data forwarding direction. Instead of the primary network device forwarding data to the secondary network device through the Xn interface (primary → Xn → secondary), the solution enables the secondary network device to send data directly to the terminal device via the Uu interface (secondary → Uu → terminal). This inversion eliminates the intermediate forwarding step and reduces delay.
2Loss of time
If a splitting protocol layer is implemented to send data packets through separate Uu interfaces to multiple access network devices, then data transmission delay is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data transmission path into multiple independent Uu interface paths instead of using a single path with Xn interface forwarding. The splitting protocol layer divides data packets and sends them through separate access network devices via separate Uu interfaces to the terminal device. This segmentation eliminates the need for inter-network-device forwarding while maintaining manageable complexity through clear path separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a splitting protocol layer as an intermediary that manages the complex task of distributing data packets across multiple Uu interfaces. This intermediary layer handles the complexity of multi-path transmission, sequence number management, and packet reassembly, isolating the complexity from the underlying transmission mechanisms and making the system more manageable.
3Loss of time
If data packets are sent through multiple access network devices via Uu interfaces, then both high data transmission rate and low delay requirements are met, but sequence number management becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different sequence number ranges to different access network devices or data paths. Each splitting protocol layer entity manages sequence numbers locally for its specific path, rather than managing a single global sequence number space. This local化管理 of sequence numbers simplifies tracking and reassembly at the receiving end, as each path's sequence numbers can be independently managed and then correlated.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication method and apparatus. The method may be applied to a 4G system, a 5G system, and/or a future communication system such as a 6G system. The method includes: a splitting protocol layer entity of a terminal device configures a first sequence number SN of a splitting protocol layer in a first splitting protocol layer data packet, and configures a second SN of the splitting protocol layer in a second splitting protocol layer data packet. The splitting protocol layer entity of the terminal device sends the first splitting protocol layer data packet to a first protocol layer entity corresponding to a first access network device, and sends the second splitting protocol layer data packet to a first protocol layer entity corresponding to a second access network device.