Dual-Master Network Node for 5G Radio Resource Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

The implementation of Dual Connectivity (DC) in the transition to 5G wireless systems is challenging under a multi-vendor environment, necessitating a method to stabilize initial coverage without DC.

Innovation Solution

A network node that stores two terminal contexts, master node identifiers, and radio capabilities, enabling radio resource distribution among two master nodes operating as a single entity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If Dual Connectivity is adopted to stabilize initial coverage during 5G deployment, then coverage stability is improved, but implementation difficulty increases under multi-vendor environment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinitial coverage stabilityVSAvoidimplementation difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the terminal context into two separate contexts, one for each master node. Each context contains only the necessary information for that specific master node (terminal radio capabilities, radio resources, CM state), allowing independent management and distribution without requiring complex multi-vendor coordination for a unified context.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The network node acts as an intermediary that receives terminal context information from one master node and distributes it to another master node. This intermediary function enables resource distribution between master nodes without requiring direct complex interaction, simplifying the multi-vendor implementation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If two base stations both operate as master node to simplify architecture, then device complexity is reduced, but radio resource distribution becomes challenging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebase station architecture complexityVSAvoidradio resource distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter representation by storing terminal radio capabilities and radio resources as distributable parameters within separate terminal contexts for each master node. The network node manages these parameters and distributes them appropriately, enabling resource coordination between two independent master nodes without complex inter-node protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If terminal context information is shared between two master nodes, then radio resource distribution is enabled, but information management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradio resource distribution capabilityVSAvoidterminal context management
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal context is segmented into separate contexts for each master node, containing only relevant information (terminal radio capabilities, radio resources, CM state). This segmentation avoids the complexity of managing a single unified context across multiple master nodes while enabling necessary information sharing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The network node serves as an intermediary that receives terminal context information from one master node and distributes it to another. This intermediary approach simplifies information management by centralizing the coordination function, allowing master nodes to remain independent while still achieving resource distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4668953A1Network node and communication method
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 NTT DOCOMO INC
  • EP4668953A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4668953A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4668953A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A network node includes: a communication unit configured to receive, from a terminal via a RAN (Radio Access Network) node, a registration request including information indicating that two master nodes are used; and a control unit configured to store two terminal contexts of the two respective master nodes. The control unit stores master node identifiers corresponding to RAN nodes, remaining terminal radio capabilities, and remaining terminal radio resources in the terminal contexts of respective master nodes, the control unit derives two CM (Connection management) states of the terminal, based on the terminal contexts of the two respective master nodes, and the communication unit indicates a remaining terminal radio capability and a remaining terminal radio resource included in a terminal context, of the terminal contexts of the two respective master nodes, corresponding to one of the two master nodes, to another of the two master nodes.