LTE-NR Dual Connectivity Switching for Lower UE Power Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
The LTE-NR dual connectivity technology in 4G-5G radio access networks leads to increased power consumption and resource wastage due to frequent network switching between high and low network usage scenarios, particularly in smartphones.
Innovation Solution
A network connection method that utilizes UE assistance information fields like overheating protection or maximum secondary component carrier to quickly establish or release NR links, reducing power consumption and optimizing network connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If LTE-NR dual connectivity technology is used to improve data transmission rate, then network capacity and handover success rate are improved, but power consumption of the electronic device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between LTE and NR connectivity modes based on real-time network conditions and service requirements. The network device receives indication information from the terminal device and dynamically adjusts whether to establish or release NR connection, allowing the system to adapt between high-performance dual connectivity and low-power single connectivity modes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the connectivity configuration parameter by using indication information (such as overheating protection field or maxCC field in UE assistance information) to trigger network side to quickly establish or release NR link connection, transitioning between different connectivity states to optimize the balance between transmission rate and power consumption
2Productivity
If LTE-NR dual connectivity is maintained to ensure high network speed, then data transmission performance is improved, but network resources are wasted in low usage scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts network resource allocation by switching between dual connectivity and single connectivity modes. When service requirements are low, the NR connection is released to free up network resources; when high speed is needed, the NR connection is quickly re-established, ensuring resources are utilized efficiently only when necessary
3Adaptability or versatility
If frequent switching between LTE and NR connections is performed to adapt to different network usage scenarios, then adaptability is improved, but connection establishment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal device proactively sends indication information (such as UE assistance information with overheating protection field or maxCC field) to the network device before actual connectivity changes are needed. This preliminary signaling allows the network to prepare for quick connection establishment or release, reducing the actual switching time when scenarios change
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the terminal device monitors its own state (temperature, service requirements) and sends indication information to the network device. The network device uses this feedback to quickly adjust connectivity configuration, enabling rapid adaptation to changing scenarios while minimizing connection establishment time
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device performs data exchange with a network side device through a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) link. When the electronic device meets a first preset condition, the electronic device actively sends first user equipment (UE) assistance information to the network side device. The first UE assistance information includes a first field. An uplink secondary component carrier count (reducedCCsUL) sub-information element carried in the first field is a first value or the first field does not carry any sub-information element. The first value is greater than 0. In response to the first UE assistance information, the network side device establishes a new radio (NR) link to the electronic device.