Early Radio Link Issue Indication for Wireless Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current physical layer problem handling in wireless devices is mainly local, with the network unable to monitor ongoing radio link issues until a Radio Link Failure (RLF) is declared, leading to significant outage time and loss of connectivity, as there is no way for the network to address issues before RLF occurs.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an early radio link issue indication mechanism in wireless devices, where an early radio link issue indication is sent to the network before RLF is declared, using a new timer (T318) that starts concurrently with the RLF timer (T310), allowing the network to reconfigure the link and prevent RLF.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the network waits until Radio Link Failure is declared to monitor and address radio link issues, then the existing RLF detection mechanism works, but significant outage time and loss of connectivity occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradio link monitoringVSAvoidoutage time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by introducing an early indication mechanism that triggers before RLF is declared. When the UE detects physical layer problems, it sends an early radio link issue indication to the network along with measurement information, allowing the network to take preventive actions (such as initiating handover or reconfiguration) before the radio link completely fails, thus reducing outage time while maintaining reliable monitoring

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the network initiates RRC re-establishment procedures to recover from RLF, then connectivity is restored, but service interruptions and delays occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnectivity recoveryVSAvoidservice interruption time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables preliminary action by providing the network with early warning of radio link issues before failure occurs. The network receives measurement information from the UE and can proactively initiate alternative recovery procedures such as handover to a different cell or reconfiguration of radio parameters, avoiding the need for time-consuming RRC re-establishment procedures and reducing service interruption time while maintaining connectivity recovery

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3994954B1Early radio link issue indication
Publication Date: 2024.01.03 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3994954B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3994954B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3994954B1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

Embodiments described herein relate to methods and apparatus for radio link status indication. A method performed by a wireless device for providing a radio link status indication to a network comprises: detecting an early radio link issue; and initiating the transmission of an early radio link issue indication. A method performed by a base station for obtaining a radio link status indication comprises: receiving an early radio link issue indication from a wireless device; and initiating transmission of reconfiguration information to the wireless device based on the early radio link issue indication.