LTE-NR Multi-Connectivity RRC Message Source Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current LTE-NR multi-connectivity technologies face challenges in transmitting RRC messages over the NR air interface and identifying the source of RRC messages when NR has its own RRC entity and supports RRC diversity, leading to inefficiencies in data transmission and reliability.

Innovation Solution

The method involves a secondary base station receiving RRC messages from an anchor base station and generating additional RRC messages, with indication information carried in PDCP headers or adaptation layers to differentiate between RRC entities, allowing the terminal to correctly identify and process messages from either the anchor or secondary base station.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the secondary base station transmits RRC messages generated by both the anchor base station and itself via the NR air interface, then the data transmission rate is improved, but the terminal cannot correctly identify the source of RRC messages

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission rateVSAvoidRRC message source identification
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the RRC message transmission by introducing distinct indication information for messages from different sources. The terminal can identify whether an RRC message originates from the anchor base station or the secondary base station through specific indication fields, enabling separate processing of messages from each source while maintaining high-speed NR air interface transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces indication information as an intermediary element within the RRC message structure. This indication information acts as a mediator that carries source identification without interfering with the actual RRC message content, allowing the terminal to correctly attribute messages to their respective sources while preserving the efficiency of NR air interface transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the anchor base station is the LTE eNB and RRC messages are transmitted via NR air interface, then ultra-reliable and low-latency communication is achieved, but the terminal cannot distinguish between RRC messages from different RRC entities

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveRRC message transmission reliabilityVSAvoidRRC message processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the RRC message handling process by introducing source identification indication information. This allows the terminal to separately process RRC messages from the anchor base station and secondary base station through distinct processing paths, reducing errors and improving reliability while maintaining manageable complexity through structured handling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the indication information provides the terminal with source identification feedback. This enables the terminal to correctly route and process RRC messages based on their origin, ensuring reliable communication while avoiding the complexity of ambiguous message handling through clear source attribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If the secondary base station generates and transmits its own RRC messages directly, then the data transmission efficiency is improved, but the terminal cannot differentiate between messages from anchor and secondary base stations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission efficiencyVSAvoidRRC entity source information
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the RRC message stream by embedding source-specific indication information. This segmentation allows the terminal to efficiently process messages from both anchor and secondary base stations through the NR air interface while maintaining the ability to identify and separately handle messages from each source, preserving both efficiency and information integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces indication information as an intermediary element that carries source identification without impeding transmission efficiency. This intermediary mechanism enables the terminal to correctly attribute messages to their generating RRC entity while maintaining the high-speed direct transmission capability of the NR air interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3565287B1Multi-link communication method and device, and terminal
Publication Date: 2022.03.16 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3565287B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3565287B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3565287B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A plurality of aspects of the present invention disclose a multi-connectivity communication method, a device, and a terminal. A secondary base station receives a first RRC message generated by an RRC entity of an anchor base station and a second RRC message generated by an RRC entity of the secondary base station. The secondary base station sends the first RRC message and the second RRC message to the terminal via an air interface between the secondary base station and the terminal, where a PDCP header, an RLC header, or a newly added adaptation layer carries indication information, the indication information is used to indicate a target RRC entity that generates an RRC message, the target RRC entity is the RRC entity of the anchor base station or the RRC entity of the secondary base station, and the anchor base station and the secondary base station use different radio access technologies. In this way, a problem of how the secondary base station transmits an RRC message and how the terminal identifies the RRC message when NR has its own RRC entity and supports RRC diversity in an LTE-NR multi-connectivity technology scenario is resolved.