Master Node Buffer Occupancy Selection for Dual-Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
In dual-connectivity scenarios, secondary nodes (SNs) with limited resources can cause delays in data communication, impacting user experience due to high data-buffer occupancy, which complicates the setup and management of dual-connectivity services in cellular wireless networks.
Innovation Solution
The master node (MN) considers the data-buffer occupancy of potential SNs before setting up dual-connectivity service, choosing SNs with lower buffer occupancy to avoid delays, and coordinates the setup of split bearers to optimize data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If secondary nodes with limited resources are selected for dual-connectivity service, then device complexity is reduced and setup is simplified, but scheduling delays increase and user experience deteriorates due to high data-buffer occupancy
Solution Approach 1:
The master node performs preliminary assessment of candidate secondary nodes' buffer occupancy status before establishing dual-connectivity service. By evaluating buffer occupancy in advance and selecting nodes with lower occupancy, the system proactively prevents scheduling delays rather than reacting to them after connection establishment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the master node receives buffer occupancy status reports from candidate secondary nodes and uses this information to make informed selection decisions. This feedback loop enables dynamic adaptation to current network conditions and resource availability.
2Quantity of substance
If secondary nodes with high data-buffer occupancy are selected, then resource availability increases, but data communication efficiency decreases due to scheduling delays
Solution Approach 1:
The master node assesses buffer occupancy of candidate secondary nodes before establishing dual-connectivity connections. By performing this preliminary evaluation and selecting nodes with lower buffer occupancy, the system ensures both resource availability and efficient data communication from the outset.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the selection criterion from merely available resources to a composite parameter that includes buffer occupancy status. This parameter change enables the system to balance resource availability with communication efficiency by selecting nodes that have both sufficient resources and lower current buffer occupancy.
3Loss of time
If buffer occupancy is considered as a selection criterion, then scheduling delays are reduced and user experience improves, but the complexity of node selection process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The master node receives buffer occupancy status feedback from candidate secondary nodes and uses this information to make selection decisions. This feedback mechanism streamlines the selection process by providing a clear, quantifiable criterion that balances improved user experience with manageable selection complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
When a first node is considering setup of dual-connectivity service for a UE, the first node will take into consideration data-buffer occupancy of one or more candidate second nodes, in order to decide whether to set up the dual-connectivity service for the UE and/or to decide which of multiple second nodes to use for the UE's dual-connectivity service. For instance, if a candidate second node has threshold high data-buffer occupancy, then, based on that fact, the first node may decide to not use that second node for dual-connectivity service of the UE. Or the first node may decide to use a given candidate second node based on the given candidate second node having lower data-buffer occupancy than one or more other candidate second nodes. Further, data-buffer occupancy could be based on downlink data buffering and/or uplink data buffering.