Layer 3 Measurement ID Segmentation for CU-DU Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication network technologies face challenges in efficiently handling Radio Resource Control (RRC) messages between Central Units (CU) and Distributed Units (DU), leading to inflexibility and real-time handling limitations, which impede the use of 3GPP specified UE event reporting for low latency real-time support of multi-TRP mobility.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for handling layer 3 measurements of User Equipment (UE) by configuring measurement IDs between CU and DU, allowing the CU to perform actions on its own IDs and the DU to perform actions on its own IDs, enabling coordinated and efficient handling of RRC messages without interfering with each other.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the CU handles all RRC messages and measurements centrally, then measurement handling is standardized and simplified, but real-time response latency increases and DU cannot act autonomously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments measurement ID space into two separate subsets: first subset for CU-controlled measurements and second subset for DU-controlled measurements. This segmentation allows the CU and DU to independently manage different measurement types without interference, enabling the DU to handle measurements in real-time while the CU maintains standardized control for other measurements.
2Speed
If the DU is given autonomy to handle measurements locally, then real-time response improves, but coordination complexity with CU increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different measurement ID subsets to different functional entities. The DU autonomously handles measurements with IDs from the second subset, while the CU handles measurements with IDs from the first subset. This differentiated assignment reduces coordination overhead while enabling real-time local handling where needed.
3Productivity
If measurement ID space is shared between CU and DU, then resource utilization is maximized, but measurement conflicts and interference occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement ID space into non-overlapping subsets assigned to CU and DU respectively. This segmentation prevents ID conflicts while maintaining efficient resource utilization, as each entity can independently manage its assigned subset without interference from the other.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided mechanisms for handling layer 3 measurements of a UE. A method is performed by a CU of an access network node. The CU is operatively connected to a DU of the access network node. The method includes configuring the UE to perform layer 3 measurements. The UE is configured to perform layer 3 measurements according to measurement IDs coordinated between the CU and the DU. A first subset of the measurement IDs is associated with the CU and a second subset of the measurement IDs is associated with the DU. The method includes obtaining a report with a layer 3 measurement from the UE. The report has one of the measurement IDs. The method includes performing an action that depends on the layer 3 measurement in the report only when the measurement ID of the report is one of the measurement IDs in the first subset.