LTE-NR Dual Connectivity Measurement Carrier Coordination

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Solution Overview

Problem

During dual connectivity between LTE and NR systems, there is a challenge in coordinating measurement report operations between the master node (eNB) and the secondary node (gNB), leading to potential conflicts in configuration settings and measurement priorities.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves coordinating the measurement configuration settings between the eNB and gNB, allowing them to independently control their RRC entities while ensuring that the UE can perform appropriate measurement report operations without exceeding its measurement capacity. This is achieved by sharing information on the number of carriers to be measured and assigning priorities to measurement objects and reports.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the master node and secondary node independently configure measurement settings, then each node can control its own RRC entity autonomously, but configuration conflicts and measurement capacity overload occur

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIndependent RRC control capabilityVSAvoidMeasurement configuration consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The master node performs preliminary action by notifying the secondary node of the number of carriers it will measure before the secondary node configures its measurement settings. This advance notification allows the secondary node to plan its measurement configuration to avoid exceeding the UE's total measurement capacity, preventing configuration conflicts while maintaining independent RRC control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Quantity of substance

If the UE measures all configured carriers from both master and secondary nodes, then comprehensive measurement coverage is achieved, but the UE exceeds its measurement capacity

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveNumber of measured carriersVSAvoidUE measurement capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The secondary node changes the parameter of measurement configuration by selectively configuring measurement objects for carriers that do not cause the total number of measured carriers to exceed the UE's measurement capacity. This dynamic adjustment of measurement configuration parameters ensures comprehensive coverage within operational limits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the secondary node configures measurements without coordination, then measurement configuration flexibility is maintained, but measurement report operations become inappropriate or conflicting

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveMeasurement configuration flexibilityVSAvoidMeasurement report accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The master node provides feedback to the secondary node about its measurement configuration plans (number of carriers to measure). This feedback mechanism allows the secondary node to adjust its configuration to ensure measurement report accuracy and avoid conflicts, while still maintaining configuration flexibility through coordinated decision-making.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3609222B1Coordinating the number of measurement carriers between a master node and a secondary node
Publication Date: 2025.06.18 NTT DOCOMO INC
  • EP3609222B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3609222B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3609222B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

An object of the present invention is to provide a radio communication system and a user device capable of performing appropriate measurement report operations, even during dual connectivity (DC) of LTE (eNB) and NR (gNB). The eNB (100A) includes a first RRC controlling unit that performs control in RRC layer and a first measurement controlling unit that controls reception quality measurement of a target cell performed by the user device. The gNB (100B) includes a second RRC controlling unit that performs control in the RRC layer and a second measurement controlling unit that controls reception quality measurement of a target cell performed by the user device. The first measurement controlling unit shares information on the number of carriers to be measured with the second measurement controlling unit.