Inter-CU Mobility Configuration for Low-Overhead Cell Switching

Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge of improving signaling efficiency in inter-centralized unit (inter-CU) Layer 1/Layer 2 (L1/L2) triggered mobility (LTM) mobility management in Release 19 (Rel-19) of 3GPP, where radio bearer and measurement configurations differ across centralized units (CUs).

Innovation Solution

A method involving the generation of a complete configuration by combining a reference configuration identifier with a candidate configuration, including delta configurations for UE, source network nodes, and network systems, to optimize cell switching in inter-CU LTM scenarios.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If separate reference configurations are configured for each candidate cell in inter-CU LTM, then mobility management accuracy is improved, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobility management accuracyVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The configuration is segmented into a common reference configuration (applicable to all candidate cells) and cell-specific delta configurations (specific to each candidate cell). This segmentation allows the UE to efficiently manage mobility by applying the common configuration once and then applying minimal cell-specific adjustments, thereby maintaining mobility management accuracy while significantly reducing signaling overhead compared to configuring complete separate configurations for each candidate cell.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the common configuration elements into a single reference configuration that is shared across all candidate cells. By combining the common parts (such as radio bearer configuration, measurement configuration, and other generic parameters) into one unified reference configuration, the system reduces redundant signaling while preserving the ability to manage inter-CU mobility effectively through the addition of minimal cell-specific delta configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If complete configurations are transmitted for each candidate cell, then configuration completeness is improved, but configuration overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration completenessVSAvoidconfiguration overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the common configuration elements from individual cell configurations and places them into a shared reference configuration. This extraction process identifies and separates the redundant common parts (such as PDCP, RLC, MAC, and PHY configurations that are identical across candidate cells) from the cell-specific parameters, allowing the system to transmit only the essential delta configurations for each candidate cell while maintaining complete and accurate configurations for mobility management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The configuration is segmented into a common reference configuration (applicable to all candidate cells) and cell-specific delta configurations (specific to each candidate cell). This segmentation allows the UE to efficiently manage mobility by applying the common configuration once and then applying minimal cell-specific adjustments, thereby maintaining mobility management accuracy while significantly reducing signaling overhead compared to configuring complete separate configurations for each candidate cell.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple reference configurations are configured for multiple candidate cells, then mobility management capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobility management capabilityVSAvoidconfiguration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The configuration is segmented into a common reference configuration (applicable to all candidate cells) and cell-specific delta configurations (specific to each candidate cell). This segmentation allows the UE to efficiently manage mobility by applying the common configuration once and then applying minimal cell-specific adjustments, thereby maintaining mobility management accuracy while significantly reducing signaling overhead compared to configuring complete separate configurations for each candidate cell.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The reference configuration serves as a universal template that can be applied to multiple candidate cells across different CUs. By designing a universal reference configuration that contains all common parameters and structures, the system enables the UE to efficiently manage inter-CU mobility without having to process completely separate configurations for each candidate cell, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining versatile mobility management capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20260040181A1Method of mobility management and device using the same

Publication Date: 2026.02.05 IND TECH RES INST

AI summary

Methods of mobility management are provided. The method includes: receiving at least one reference configuration identifier and a candidate configuration; generating a complete configuration based on the at least one reference configuration identifier and the candidate configuration; and applying the complete configuration to perform a cell switch to a candidate network node corresponding to the candidate configuration.