Master Node Coordination for Conditional Secondary Node Procedures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing procedures for dual/multi-connectivity in wireless communication systems, such as conditional secondary node addition or change, face challenges in coordinating radio resource usage between master and secondary nodes, leading to latency and potential procedure failures.
Innovation Solution
The master node (MN) waits until it determines which secondary cell the user equipment (UE) connects to before applying multi-connectivity coordination information, which includes parameters for frequency bands, transmission timing, power control, and signal directionality, to coordinate radio resource usage effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the master node applies multi-connectivity coordination information immediately upon receiving it during conditional secondary node configuration, then the coordination of radio resources is established earlier, but the coordination may be incorrect or premature since the UE connection status is uncertain
Solution Approach 1:
The master node prepares to apply coordination information but delays actual application until the triggering condition is met. The coordination information is received and stored in advance, but not activated until the UE successfully connects to the secondary cell, ensuring both early preparation and accurate timing.
Solution Approach 2:
The master node waits for feedback from the secondary node confirming successful UE connection before applying the coordination information. This feedback mechanism ensures that coordination is applied only when the UE is actually connected, resolving the uncertainty about connection status.
2Reliability
If the master node waits until the UE connection is confirmed before applying coordination information, then the accuracy of coordination is improved, but the latency increases due to the waiting period
Solution Approach 1:
The master node receives and stores the coordination information in advance during the conditional configuration phase, preparing it for future application. This preliminary reception reduces the waiting time when the condition is eventually met, as the information is already ready to be applied immediately upon connection confirmation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple candidate secondary cells are configured for conditional connection, then the adaptability of the system is improved, but the complexity of determining which cell to connect to increases
Solution Approach 1:
The master node applies coordination information specific to each candidate secondary cell individually. Each cell has its own associated coordination parameters, and when the UE connects to a specific cell, only the coordination information for that particular cell is activated. This localized approach manages complexity by handling each cell's coordination separately rather than managing all cells simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
Base stations perform methods for supporting a conditional procedure for a user equipment (UE). A method performed by a first base station may include receiving (1202), by the first base station from a second base station, an indication of one or more candidate secondary cells to which the UE can connect, subject to a condition, to communicate in dual connectivity (DC); receiving (1204), by the first base station, subsequently to the UE connecting to a secondary cell among the one or more candidate secondary cells for which the condition is satisfied, coordination information for the secondary cell, the coordinating information being usable for coordinating usage of radio resources with the second base station while the UE communicates in DC; and applying (1206), by the first base station, the coordination information to coordinate the usage of radio resources with the second base station.