Dual eNodeB Carrier Aggregation via Intermediary Coordination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In conventional carrier aggregation (CA) systems, a radio terminal (UE) cannot establish radio connections with cells operated by different radio stations (eNBs), limiting the ability to perform carrier aggregation across multiple eNBs.
Innovation Solution
A radio communication system where a first radio station maintains a connection with a radio terminal while instructing a second radio station to prepare for and establish a second radio connection with the terminal, allowing simultaneous use of cells operated by different radio stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a radio terminal establishes radio connection with cells operated by a single radio station (conventional carrier aggregation), then the connection establishment procedure is simple and reliable, but the terminal cannot perform carrier aggregation across multiple eNBs, limiting communication flexibility and quality
Solution Approach 1:
The serving eNB acts as an intermediary that coordinates the dual connection establishment. It selects a target eNB, transfers necessary terminal information to the target eNB, and manages the coordination between the terminal and both eNBs, thereby enabling multi-eNB carrier aggregation without requiring complex terminal-side procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The serving eNB performs preliminary actions by pre-selecting a suitable target eNB based on terminal capabilities and network conditions, and pre-transferring terminal context information to the target eNB before the terminal actually establishes connections with both eNBs. This preliminary preparation simplifies the overall connection establishment process
2Productivity
If a radio terminal simultaneously uses multiple cells for communication, then communication quality and data rate improve, but the terminal must maintain multiple radio connections simultaneously, increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control functions for managing multiple radio connections into a unified procedure coordinated by the serving eNB. The serving eNB consolidates the management of the first radio connection (with itself) and the second radio connection (with the target eNB), allowing the terminal to simultaneously use multiple cells while the network side handles the complexity of connection management
Solution Approach 2:
The serving eNB performs multiple functions: it acts as the primary control eNB for the terminal, selects appropriate target eNBs for additional connections, transfers terminal context information, and coordinates the overall dual connection establishment. This multi-functional approach at the network side reduces the burden on the terminal
Data Source
AI summary
A first radio station (1) requests or instructs a second radio station (2) to prepare for communication with a radio terminal (3) on a second cell (20) while a first radio connection on a first cell (10) with the radio terminal (3) is established. Further, the first radio station (1) instructs the radio terminal (3) or the second radio station (2) to establish a second radio connection on the second cell (20) with the radio terminal (3) while maintaining the radio connection on the first cell (10) with the radio terminal (3). It is thus for example possible to enable a single radio terminal to establish radio connections with cells of a plurality of radio stations, in order to achieve carrier aggregation of cells operated by different radio stations.