Early Data Transmission for Faster Dual Connectivity Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dual connectivity (DC) and carrier aggregation (CA) configurations in wireless networks require time-consuming UE measurements for secondary cell configuration, consuming resources and battery power, which hinders efficient user throughput and mobility.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an early data transmission (EDT) random access (RA) procedure that allows user equipment (UE) to configure secondary cells without performing inter-frequency measurements, by blindly configuring cells and initiating EDT RA procedures to determine and connect to preferred secondary cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a UE is connected to a master node and a secondary node for dual connectivity, then the connection reliability and data transmission capability are improved, but the message overhead and processing complexity increase due to separate RRC connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the RRC connection management by allowing the master node to forward RRC messages between the secondary node and the UE. This consolidation reduces the number of separate RRC connections from two to one, thereby decreasing message overhead and processing complexity while maintaining the reliability benefits of dual connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The master node is assigned a universal function of relaying RRC messages in addition to its existing roles. This multi-functionality allows the master node to handle both direct communication with the UE and indirect forwarding of messages from the secondary node, reducing overall system complexity without compromising connection reliability.
2Productivity
If a UE performs random access to a secondary node in dual connectivity, then the data transmission capability is improved, but the access delay increases due to separate RRC connection establishment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-establishing the RRC connection through the master node before the UE needs to access the secondary node. The master node prepares and forwards necessary RRC messages in advance, so when the UE needs to perform random access to the secondary node, the connection is already established or can be quickly activated, thereby reducing access delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The master node serves as an intermediary that mediates the RRC connection establishment between the UE and the secondary node. Instead of the UE directly establishing a separate RRC connection with the secondary node (which causes delay), the master node acts as a mediator to forward messages and coordinate the connection, streamlining the access process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate RRC connections are maintained for master node and secondary node, then the connection flexibility is improved, but the power consumption increases due to dual RRC message processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the RRC message processing functions into a single unified connection managed through the master node. The UE processes only one RRC connection instead of two separate connections, significantly reducing the power consumption associated with dual RRC message processing while the master node maintains the flexibility to coordinate with the secondary node as needed.
Data Source
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AI summary
An example method, apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium are provided for early data transmission (EDT) random access (RA) procedure for dual connectivity or carrier aggregation. In an example implementation, the method may include receiving configuration information from a network node, initiating an early data transmission (EDT) random access (RA) procedure with one or more cells indicated in the configuration information, determining a secondary cell of the one or more cells as a preferred secondary cell, and transmitting data to the preferred secondary cell.