Dynamic PDCP Packet Duplication for URLLC Reliability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial IoT applications require ultra-high reliability and low-latency communication, which current methods using packet duplication in Dual Connectivity or Carrier Aggregation architectures fail to achieve, especially in addressing reliability issues in both the Radio Access Network (RAN) and Core Network (CN).
Innovation Solution
A system and method for transmission redundancy using two or more links, dynamically controlling Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) and higher layer packet duplication, allowing for combined and coordinated duplication to be activated only when necessary, thereby avoiding spectral inefficiencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If packet duplication is used in Dual Connectivity or Carrier Aggregation architectures, then reliability is improved, but spectral efficiency deteriorates due to continuous transmission on multiple links
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic packet duplication where the UE selectively transmits duplicate packets on alternative carriers only when channel conditions on the primary carrier deteriorate below a threshold. This dynamic activation/deactivation of duplication based on real-time channel quality feedback resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliability only when necessary, thus preserving spectral efficiency during good channel conditions while ensuring communication reliability when needed.
2Reliability
If packet duplication is continuously activated, then reliability is improved, but latency increases due to processing overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic control of packet duplication based on channel quality measurements, activating duplication only when the primary carrier's channel quality falls below a predetermined threshold. This selective activation minimizes the processing overhead and time consumption associated with packet duplication, thereby reducing latency while maintaining reliability only when channel conditions require it.
3Reliability
If packet duplication is used to achieve ultra-high reliability, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic packet duplication mechanism controlled by channel quality thresholds, where the UE monitors primary carrier conditions and selectively activates duplication on alternative carriers only when necessary. This approach achieves ultra-high reliability by ensuring packet delivery through multiple paths when needed, while maintaining low device complexity by avoiding continuous duplication operations and associated processing overhead.
4Loss of energy
If packet duplication is dynamically controlled based on channel conditions, then spectral efficiency is improved, but reliability may deteriorate during rapid channel changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent configures the UE with predetermined channel quality thresholds and alternative carrier selections before transmission begins. When the primary carrier's channel quality falls below the threshold, the UE immediately activates packet duplication on pre-configured alternative carriers without requiring real-time decision-making or additional signaling. This preliminary configuration ensures rapid response to channel deterioration, maintaining reliability during fast fading while preserving spectral efficiency through selective duplication activation.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a system and method for ultra reliable low latency communication (URLLC) which can be achieved by redundant transmission with two or more links at one or more RAN nodes. In order to achieve URLLC communication, methods supporting the PDCP packet duplication and/or higher layer packet duplication are applied to various RAN architectures such as CA architecture, DC based architecture with one connection to the core network (CN), DC based architecture with two or more connections to the CN, CA and DC combined architecture, and CU/DU split architecture.