Dual Connectivity Redundant PDU Sessions for Wireless Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for improved reliability in wireless communication networks, particularly in Mission Critical Services (C-MTC) where low latency and high reliability are crucial, and extreme low latency may not be a requirement but high reliability is essential.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of dual connectivity (DC) in wireless communication networks, where two PDU sessions are established for a wireless terminal using different NodeB base stations and user plane function (UPF) entities, providing redundant data paths to ensure communication continuity in case of single failures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dual connectivity with multiple PDU sessions is implemented, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the user plane path into multiple independent PDU sessions (first PDU session through first NodeB and first UPF, second PDU session through second NodeB and second UPF). Each session operates independently, allowing failure isolation where a breakdown in one session does not affect the other, thereby improving reliability while managing complexity through modular architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes redundant PDU sessions in advance before failures occur. The network pre-configures multiple user plane paths with different NodeBs and UPFs, so that when a failure occurs, an alternative path is already available to immediately take over, providing cushioning against communication interruptions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If redundant data paths are established using dual connectivity, then availability is improved, but network resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice availabilityVSAvoidnetwork resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements partial redundancy by establishing multiple PDU sessions but allowing the network to activate only one primary path for normal operation. The secondary paths remain configured but dormant, consuming minimal resources, and are activated only when needed for failover, thus providing availability improvement without proportional increase in continuous resource consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS20250048467A1Methods providing dual connectivity for redundant user plane paths and related network nodes

Publication Date: 2025.02.06 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

A method may be performed by a network entity of a wireless communication network. A first PDU session may be established for a wireless terminal (UE) using a first NodeB base station (MgNB) and a first user plane function entity (UPF1). A second PDU session may be established for the wireless terminal (UE) using a second NodeB base station (SgNB) and a second user plane function entity (UPF2). The first and second PDU sessions may be established for the wireless terminal (UE) using the first and second NodeB base stations so that the first and second PDU sessions are provided concurrently using dual connectivity DC to provide redundant data paths for communication of data for the wireless terminal (UE) through the wireless communication network.