Master Base Station Secondary Node Addition for 5G LTE Mobility

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Solution Overview

Problem

In 5G NSA networks using LTE EPC as a core network, there is a need for efficient mobility control and dual connectivity procedures between 5G and LTE base stations due to the limited coverage of 5G base stations operating at high-frequency bands, leading to frequent user equipment handovers.

Innovation Solution

A method is provided for configuring dual connectivity by initiating a secondary node addition procedure, where a master base station requests and allocates radio resources for a user equipment context, and a secondary base station acknowledges and allocates transmission network resources, enabling seamless communication through multiple radio resources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If 5G base station uses high-frequency band (e.g., 28 GHz), then data transmission rate is improved, but coverage area becomes smaller

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission rateVSAvoidcoverage area

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The network is segmented into LTE base stations providing wide coverage and 5G base stations providing high-speed data transmission. User equipment can switch between or simultaneously use both types of base stations, dividing the network functionality to overcome the coverage limitation of high-frequency 5G while maintaining high data rates where available.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Speed

If 5G base station uses high-frequency band, then data transmission rate is improved, but user equipment handover frequency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission rateVSAvoidhandover frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by establishing dual connectivity between LTE and 5G base stations before handover is needed. User equipment maintains simultaneous connections to both LTE and 5G networks, pre-configuring the necessary parameters and resource allocations so that when movement occurs, the transition is seamless without requiring frequent handover procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If dual connectivity procedure is implemented between 5G and LTE base stations, then mobility control is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobility controlVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses universal interfaces and protocols that allow both LTE and 5G base stations to interact through standardized mechanisms. The dual connectivity procedure leverages existing LTE EPC infrastructure and extends it to support 5G, rather than creating entirely new proprietary interfaces, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable mobility control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10869236B2Method for controlling mobility of terminal in heterogeneous network and apparatus therefor

Publication Date: 2020.12.15 KT CORP

AI summary

Provided are a method and an apparatus for performing a mobility control procedure of a terminal, by a master base station. The method includes: determining starting of a secondary node addition procedure for setting a terminal context for a secondary node in order to provide the terminal with a radio resource of the secondary node; transmitting, to the secondary node, a secondary base station addition request message for requesting radio resource allocation for a specific E-UTRAN radio access bearer (E-RAB); and receiving, from the secondary node, secondary cell group radio resource configuration information to be additionally configured in the terminal.