Dual-Connectivity Uplink Path Switching for 5G Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In dual-connectivity wireless networks, the quality of the second air-interface connection can become poor, leading to difficulties with scheduled uplink communication, while it is beneficial to maintain concurrent scheduled downlink communications on both air-interface connections.
Innovation Solution
The dual-connectivity service is dynamically reconfigured by switching the UE's scheduled uplink communication from the second air-interface connection to the first air-interface connection when the quality of the second connection is detected as threshold poor, while retaining both connections for downlink communications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the UE uses the second air-interface connection (5G) for uplink communication, then higher data rates and quality of service can be achieved, but the connection quality may become poor leading to communication difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching of uplink communication paths between the first access node (4G) and second access node (5G) based on real-time connection quality assessment. The network entity monitors the quality of the second air-interface connection and dynamically redirects uplink communications to the first access node when quality deteriorates, while maintaining downlink communications on both connections. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to exploit high data rates when available while ensuring reliable communication when connection quality degrades.
2Reliability
If the UE switches uplink communication to the first air-interface connection (4G), then reliable uplink communication is maintained, but the high data rate capability of the 5G connection is not utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the user-plane communications into downlink and uplink components, allowing independent optimization of each direction. Downlink communications are maintained on both the first and second air-interface connections to maximize data rate, while uplink communications are dynamically assigned to whichever connection provides better reliability. This segmentation enables the system to simultaneously achieve high data rates through dual downlink paths and reliable uplink communication through selective path assignment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dual-connectivity is maintained with both connections active, then service continuity and flexibility are improved, but the complexity of managing multiple connections increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network entity (such as a master base station or core network function) that acts as an intermediary to manage the dual-connectivity configuration. This intermediary monitors connection qualities, makes switching decisions, and coordinates between the first and second access nodes, thereby reducing the complexity burden on the UE. The network entity handles the complexity of managing multiple connections while the UE simply follows configuration instructions, resolving the contradiction between service continuity and management complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Dynamic reconfiguring of dual-connectivity service of a UE includes detecting that quality of the UE's second air-interface connection with a second access node is threshold poor and responsively reconfiguring the dual-connectivity service from (i) a first mode in which user plane communication of the dual-connectivity service is downlink on both the first and second air-interface connections and is uplink on the second air-interface connection but not on the first air-interface connection to (ii) a second mode in which the user-plane communication of the dual-connectivity service is downlink on both the first and second air-interface connections and is uplink on the first air-interface connection but not on the second air-interface connection.