5G LTE Dual Connectivity UE Configuration Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
In dual connectivity scenarios between LTE and 5G networks, existing technologies face challenges in coordinating radio access technologies to ensure optimal performance and respect user equipment (UE) capabilities, particularly when UE cannot support simultaneous configurations of LTE and 5G connections, leading to limitations in network throughput and potential conflicts between band configurations.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves apparatus and methods that allow for the selection of optimal UE configurations while respecting UE capabilities, enabling UE capability sharing and dependencies, and allowing network nodes to set configurations independently with minimal inter-RAT knowledge, using message exchanges to coordinate and manage conflicting configurations based on achievable data throughput and resource considerations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If LTE and 5G configurations are applied independently to maximize network throughput, then network throughput is improved, but UE capability conflicts occur when UE cannot support simultaneous configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a coordination mechanism where the Master Node (MN) acts as an intermediary to manage and coordinate the configurations between LTE and 5G networks. The MN receives capability information from the UE, determines appropriate configurations, and communicates decisions to the Secondary Node (SN), ensuring that UE capabilities are respected while maximizing network throughput through coordinated resource allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic configuration adjustment based on real-time UE capability assessment. The system continuously monitors UE support for simultaneous LTE and 5G configurations and dynamically adapts the network configuration accordingly, switching between independent configuration modes (when UE supports both) and coordinated configuration modes (when UE cannot support simultaneous configurations).
2Reliability
If network nodes coordinate configurations to respect UE capabilities, then UE capability compliance is improved, but network throughput decreases due to configuration limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of configuration coordination from binary (coordinated or independent) to a spectrum of options based on UE capability assessment. The system evaluates specific UE capabilities and adjusts configuration parameters dynamically, allowing for partial coordination scenarios where some resources are shared while others remain independent, thereby optimizing throughput while ensuring capability compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial coordination only to the extent necessary to resolve UE capability conflicts. When UE cannot support simultaneous configurations, coordination is applied selectively to conflicting resources while allowing independent configuration for non-conflicting resources, thus minimizing the impact on network throughput while ensuring capability compliance.
3Productivity
If message exchanges are implemented to coordinate configurations between nodes, then configuration optimization is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the coordination functionality into distinct modular components: capability information collection at the UE and MN, capability assessment logic at the MN, configuration determination at the MN, and configuration execution at both MN and SN. This segmentation allows each component to be independently implemented and optimized, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining configuration optimization capabilities.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a communication method and system for converging a 5th-Generation (5G) communication system for supporting higher data rates beyond a 4th-Generation (4G) system with a technology for Internet of Things (IoT). The present disclosure may be applied to intelligent services based on the 5G communication technology and the IoT-related technology, such as smart home, smart building, smart city, smart car, connected car, health care, digital education, smart retail, security and safety services. Disclosed is a method of operating a telecommunication system operating in a multi-connectivity configuration, wherein a first node operates a first radio connection using a first Radio Access Technology, RAT, and a second node operates a second radio connection using a second RAT, wherein a User Equipment, UE, operable to communicate over first and second radio connections, is configured on the basis of its capabilities with respect to the first node and its capabilities with respect to the second node.