Layer-2 Mobility via MAC Control Element Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G communication systems experience significant latency and interruption during serving cell changes, which are triggered by Layer-3 measurements and require complete Layer-2 and Layer-1 resets, leading to increased overhead and interruption time.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a wireless device that receives RRC messages with configuration information for multiple cells, allowing seamless switching between cells using MAC Control Elements to minimize interruption time during mobility by configuring and reconfiguring radio resources without full resets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Layer-3 measurements trigger serving cell changes with complete Layer-2 and Layer-1 resets, then serving cell change is achieved, but latency and interruption time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the mobility management into multiple layers: Layer-3 for measurement and decision-making, Layer-2 for configuration management with multiple cell configurations, and Layer-1 for physical transmission. This segmentation allows Layer-2 to maintain multiple cell configurations simultaneously without requiring complete resets, thereby reducing interruption time while ensuring reliable serving cell changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple cell configurations (first configuration information and second configuration information) at Layer-2 before mobility is needed. When serving cell change is required, the pre-configured information can be activated immediately without requiring complete Layer-2 and Layer-1 resets, thus reducing latency and interruption time.
2Reliability
If complete Layer-2 and Layer-1 resets are performed during serving cell change, then serving cell change is achieved, but overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the system into distinct layers with specific functions: Layer-3 handles measurements and triggering decisions, Layer-2 manages multiple cell configurations independently, and Layer-1 handles physical transmission. This segmentation allows serving cell changes to be accomplished through Layer-2 configuration switching without requiring complete Layer-2 and Layer-1 resets, thereby reducing overhead while maintaining reliability.
3Speed
If multiple cell configurations are maintained at Layer-2, then mobility switching speed improves, but configuration management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments configuration management by maintaining multiple cell configurations (first configuration information and second configuration information) independently at Layer-2, each associated with different cells. This allows rapid switching between configurations for fast mobility, while the segmentation into independent configuration sets makes the management complexity manageable through organized, modular configuration structures.
Data Source
AI summary
A method may comprise receiving, from a base station, at least one Radio Resource Control (RRC) message. The at least one RRC message may comprise: first configuration information associated with at least one first cell; and second configuration information associated with at least one second cell. The method may comprise while the first configuration information and the second configuration information are configured for the wireless device: performing, based on the second configuration information, wireless communication via at least one cell of the at least one second cell; receiving a first Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE), wherein the first MAC CE comprises an identifier associated with the first configuration information; and based on the first MAC CE, performing, using at least one parameter of the first configuration information, wireless communication via at least one cell of the at least one first cell.