Dual RAT Connectivity for LTE and BLE Power Latency Trade-off
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication networks face challenges in achieving low power consumption and low latency due to the inherent limitations of LTE technology, particularly in managing bursty packet-data traffic and supporting high-quality video services like augmented and virtual reality, which lead to increased power consumption and user experience degradation.
Innovation Solution
Implementing dual radio access technology (RAT) connectivity, where the radio network node uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) as a secondary RAT to carry control signaling and data associated with the primary RAT, such as LTE, to optimize power consumption and latency by configuring DRX parameters and utilizing BLE for paging and other low-latency communications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If LTE is used for high-quality video services and bursty packet-data traffic, then service quality is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication functionality by separating control signaling from user data transmission. Control signaling is transmitted over BLE (low power) while user data continues over LTE (high performance). This segmentation allows the system to maintain service quality for video traffic while reducing overall power consumption by offloading control plane operations to the energy-efficient BLE interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functionality by enabling the wireless device to operate with both LTE and BLE simultaneously, where each interface serves different purposes. LTE handles high-data-rate user plane traffic while BLE handles control plane signaling. This universal approach allows the system to leverage the strengths of both technologies to achieve both high service quality and low power consumption.
2Loss of time
If continuous monitoring is performed to reduce latency, then responsiveness is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action through DRX (Discontinuous Reception) cycles where the wireless device monitors for incoming data at specific intervals rather than continuously. During active DRX periods, the device maintains readiness for low-latency communication. Between periods, the device can enter low-power states. This periodic monitoring approach significantly reduces power consumption while maintaining acceptable latency performance for bursty traffic patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses BLE as an intermediary for control signaling that can wake up or alert the device before LTE data transmission begins. The BLE interface serves as a low-power mediator that maintains connection awareness without requiring continuous LTE monitoring, thereby reducing power consumption while still enabling rapid response when data needs to be transmitted.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments herein relate to a method performed by a radio network node (12) for handling communication of data to a wireless device (10) in a wireless communication network (1). The radio network node (12) determines to transmit data associated with a first radio access technology, RAT, using a second RAT when a criterion is fulfilled, and triggers a transmission of the data to the wireless device (10) using the second RAT.