Dual-Connectivity Radio Network Nodes With Packet-Weighted RAN Delay

Solution Overview

Problem

In split bearer scenarios of 5G networks, calculating the total RAN delay is inaccurate due to unfair weighting in scenarios with and without packet duplication, leading to biased average delays and unclear calculations when configuration changes occur.

Innovation Solution

Implement a weighted averaging method that applies different weights to packets sent via the master and secondary nodes based on packet duplication status, ensuring accurate delay calculations by considering the number of packets and delays experienced by each node during periods with and without duplication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If simple averaging is used to calculate average delay in split bearer scenarios, then calculation simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates due to unfair weighting between master and secondary nodes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalculation simplicityVSAvoiddelay measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the weighting parameter from equal weights to packet-count-based weights. The master node's delay measurements are weighted by the number of packets transmitted through it, while the secondary node's delays are weighted by its packet count. This parameter change ensures that nodes handling more packets have greater influence on the average delay calculation, resolving the unfair weighting issue while maintaining calculation feasibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If packet duplication is applied to improve reliability, then communication reliability is improved, but delay calculation accuracy deteriorates due to unclear weighting scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoiddelay calculation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different weighting rules based on the local quality of the transmission scenario. When packet duplication is detected (same packet received from both master and secondary nodes), the patent uses minimum weighting to avoid double-counting. When only single transmission occurs, standard packet-count weighting is applied. This local differentiation resolves the confusion in delay calculation under duplication scenarios while maintaining reliability benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If equal weighting is used for master and secondary nodes, then calculation fairness is simplified, but productivity deteriorates due to biased average delays affecting network optimization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalculation fairnessVSAvoidnetwork optimization efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the weighting parameter from equal weights to packet-count-based weights. The master node's delay measurements are weighted by the number of packets transmitted through it, while the secondary node's delays are weighted by its packet count. This parameter change ensures that nodes handling more packets have greater influence on the average delay calculation, resolving the unfair weighting issue while maintaining calculation feasibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12432616B2Radio network node, network node, and methods performed in a wireless communication network

Publication Date: 2025.09.30 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

Embodiments herein relate to a method performed by a network node for handling communication in a wireless communication network comprising a first radio network node and a second radio network node providing dual connectivity to a UE (10). The network node calculates an average delay of a packet transmission, wherein weighting is applied to a number of packets respectively sent via the first radio network node and the second radio network node when no packet duplication is applied, and wherein weighting is further applied for a respective delay calculation for one or more periods or packets with duplication, and the periods or packets without duplication.