Macrocell Control for Mobile Terminal Radio Link Failure in Dual Connectivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mobile communication systems lack effective communication control solutions when a radio link failure occurs between a mobile terminal and a macrocell or a small cell in double connection mode, leading to disruptions in service quality.

Innovation Solution

The method involves a macrocell controlling the mobile terminal to reaccess a small cell, perform radio measurements, or cancel the small cell connection, and reconfigure radio resource control connections to ensure continuous communication after a radio link failure, using notification messages and core network patch switches to manage the transition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a mobile terminal operates in double connection mode with both macrocell and small cell, then network throughput and communication quality are improved, but system complexity increases and radio link failure handling becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork throughputVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the communication system into macrocell and small cell components, with the macrocell handling control plane functions and the small cell handling user plane functions. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component while maintaining overall system performance, reducing the complexity of managing dual connections by clearly defining functional boundaries between cell types

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces the macrocell as an intermediary that manages the mobile terminal's connection to the small cell. The macrocell receives control plane signals and coordinates user plane data transmission, acting as a mediator that simplifies the interaction between the mobile terminal and the small cell, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining high throughput

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If small cell technology is deployed to improve indoor and hotspot coverage, then service coverage is enhanced, but deployment and management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice coverageVSAvoiddeployment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the small cell into the existing macrocell network architecture, where the small cell operates as a secondary connection alongside the macrocell. This merging approach allows small cells to be deployed in indoor and hotspot areas without requiring separate management systems, reducing deployment complexity while expanding service coverage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the small cell multi-functional by enabling it to handle both user plane data transmission and control plane functions through the macrocell. This universality allows a single small cell infrastructure to serve multiple purposes, reducing the need for additional dedicated systems and simplifying overall deployment and management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If radio link failure handling is not implemented in double connection mode, then system simplicity is maintained, but communication reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidcommunication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the mobile terminal monitors the radio link quality of both macrocell and small cell connections. When a radio link failure is detected in either connection, the terminal reports this information to the network, which then triggers appropriate recovery actions. This feedback loop maintains communication reliability without significantly increasing system complexity by using existing reporting channels

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent prepares recovery actions in advance by pre-configuring alternative paths and resources. When a radio link failure occurs, the system can immediately switch to pre-prepared recovery mechanisms, such as activating the other connection (macrocell or small cell) without requiring complex real-time decision-making, thus maintaining reliability while keeping the system relatively simple

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3125639B1Communication control method, device and system for mobile terminal
Publication Date: 2022.11.30 CHINA MOBILE COMM GRP CO LTD
  • EP3125639B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3125639B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3125639B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to the field of mobile communication, and in particular to a mobile terminal communication control method, a control device and a mobile communication system, so as to provide a communication solution in a double connection mode in the case that a radio link failure occurs between a mobile terminal and a macrocell or between a mobile terminal and a small cell. The mobile terminal communication control method includes determining, by a macrocell connected to a mobile terminal, that a radio link failure occurs between the mobile terminal and a small cell connected to the mobile terminal; controlling, by the macrocell, the mobile terminal to reaccess the small cell, or controlling, by the macrocell, the mobile terminal to access randomly a small cell, or cancelling the small cell by the macrocell. The method provides a communication solution in a double connection mode in the case that a radio link failure occurs between a mobile terminal and a macrocell.