Dynamic Carrier Allocation for Dual-Connectivity UEs
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless networks transitioning from 4G to 5G, there is a challenge in efficiently reserving air-interface capacity for UEs that support dual-connectivity services, as not all UEs are capable of EN-DC, leading to potential underutilization of reserved capacity for dual-connectivity and standalone services.
Innovation Solution
A base station configures at least one carrier for dual-connectivity service and another for standalone service, dynamically determining UE capabilities to allocate connections accordingly, allowing for efficient resource management between UEs supporting EN-DC and those that do not.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If air-interface capacity is reserved for dual-connectivity service, then UEs supporting EN-DC can be served, but capacity is underutilized when UEs do not support dual-connectivity
Solution Approach 1:
The base station dynamically determines UE dual-connectivity capability and reallocates carriers accordingly. UEs are assessed for EN-DC support, and carrier assignments are adjusted in real-time: dual-connectivity capable UEs receive carriers configured for dual-connectivity service, while non-capable UEs are assigned to standalone service carriers, ensuring optimal capacity utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
Different carriers are configured with different service qualities based on UE capability. The base station identifies which UEs support dual-connectivity and assigns them to specific carriers optimized for dual-connectivity, while assigning other UEs to carriers optimized for standalone service, creating localized optimization for each UE-carrier pairing.
2Productivity
If carriers are reserved for standalone service, then non-dual-connectivity UEs can be served, but dual-connectivity capable UEs cannot utilize dual-connectivity service
Solution Approach 1:
The base station performs dynamic capability assessment and carrier reallocation. When a UE attempts to access the network, the base station determines whether the UE supports dual-connectivity service. If the UE is dual-connectivity capable and a dual-connectivity carrier is available, the base station reallocates the UE to that carrier, enabling dual-connectivity service. This dynamic reallocation ensures both standalone and dual-connectivity services are optimally provided.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the base station configures multiple carriers for different service types, then service specialization is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base station autonomously performs capability determination and carrier allocation without requiring complex UE-side configuration management. The network side automatically assesses UE dual-connectivity capability and assigns appropriate carriers, eliminating the need for UEs to manually configure or manage multiple carrier types, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining service specialization.
Data Source
AI summary
A base station that is configured to provide first-RAT service on multiple carriers will reserve at least one of the carriers for use in providing UEs with dual-connectivity service on the first RAT and a second RAT, and the base station will reserve at least one other of the carriers for use in providing UEs with standalone first-RAT service. For instance, a 4G base station that is configured to provide 4G service on multiple 4G carriers could reserve at least one of those 4G carriers for use in providing UEs with EN-DC service (where each UE would be served concurrently on a 5G carrier as well) and could reserve another one of those 4G carriers for use in providing UEs with standalone 4G service.