Inter-RAT RAN Numerology Configuration Through Master eNB

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge of configuring radio resources with appropriate numerologies in secondary gNBs or target gNBs during Inter-RAT Dual Connectivity between E-UTRA and NR, and in Inter-RAT handovers from E-UTRA to NR, remains unclear due to the support of multiple numerologies by these nodes.

Innovation Solution

A radio resource configuration mechanism is implemented where a first RAN node sends or receives configurations indicating specific numerologies different from a reference numerology, allowing the UE to adapt to the numerologies supported by secondary or target gNBs, through explicit or implicit signaling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple numerologies are supported by secondary gNBs or target gNBs in Inter-RAT Dual Connectivity and handovers, then the system can accommodate diverse service requirements and frequency bands, but the configuration complexity and difficulty of detecting and measuring appropriate numerologies increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport for multiple numerologiesVSAvoidconfiguration of appropriate numerology

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The master eNB acts as an intermediary between the UE and the secondary gNB/target gNB. It receives the radio resource configuration from the secondary gNB/target gNB and forwards it to the UE, simplifying the UE's task by providing a single point of configuration rather than requiring direct interaction with multiple numerology sources

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having the UE directly detect and measure multiple numerologies from secondary gNBs or target gNBs, the configuration is inverted by having the network (secondary gNB/target gNB) determine the appropriate numerology and communicate it to the UE through the master eNB. This reverses the traditional detection approach and simplifies the UE's complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Adaptability or versatility

If explicit or implicit signaling is used to indicate numerology configurations, then the UE can adapt to different numerologies, but the signaling overhead and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveUE adaptation to numerologiesVSAvoidsignaling mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The master eNB receives and forwards the radio resource configuration that includes numerology information. The UE receives this configuration from the master eNB, which effectively copies the numerology indication from the secondary gNB/target gNB through the master eNB, avoiding the need for the UE to directly process complex signaling from multiple sources

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The master eNB serves multiple functions: it maintains the primary connection with the UE, manages Inter-RAT Dual Connectivity, and acts as a signaling relay for numerology configuration from secondary gNBs or target gNBs. This multi-functionality consolidates complexity in the network rather than the UE

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250294570A1Radio access network node, radio terminal, and methods and non-transitory computer-readable media therefor

Publication Date: 2025.09.18 NEC CORP

AI summary

A second RAN node (2) associated with a second RAT sends a radio resource configuration of the second RAT to a radio terminal (3) via a first RAN node (1) associated with a first RAT. The radio resource configuration explicitly or implicitly indicates at least one numerology that is included in multiple numerologies supported by the second RAT and is different from a reference numerology. It is thus, for example, possible to allow a radio terminal to be configured with a numerology of a cell served by a secondary gNB or a target gNB in Inter-RAT Dual Connectivity between E-UTRA and NR and in a handover from E-UTRA to NR.