Master Node Handover Coordination in Dual Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in handling handovers for user equipment (UE) in dual connectivity scenarios, where seamless transitions between master and secondary nodes are not effectively managed.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a first base station (BS) connecting with a UE via a signalling radio bearer, transmitting a radio resource control message to configure a secondary BS as a secondary node, receiving measurement reports, determining handovers, and sending interface messages to facilitate a smooth handover process, including transmitting Handover Request and Handover Command messages to ensure continuous connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a UE communicates with both a master node and a secondary node in dual connectivity, then the data transmission capacity and connection reliability are improved, but the complexity of handover management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The master node acts as an intermediary that coordinates the handover process. When handover is needed, the master node sends a handover request to the target base station and receives a handover command in response, then forwards this command to the UE. This intermediary role simplifies the handover management complexity by centralizing the coordination function in the master node while maintaining connection reliability through structured message exchange.
2Ease of operation
If the master node transmits RRC messages via the first SRB and the secondary node transmits measurement configurations via the second SRB, then the functional separation and modular operation are improved, but the coordination overhead between nodes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the handover coordination functions by having the master node send interface messages to the secondary node that include handover-related information. The secondary node responds with a handover response message containing necessary configuration data. This combined approach allows modular operation where each node handles its specific functions while reducing coordination overhead through direct information exchange between nodes rather than through separate independent procedures.
3Productivity
If the first BS determines handover and sends interface messages to the second BS, then the handover control and decision-making are improved, but the signaling overhead between base stations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential handover-related information from the complete RRC message and transmits it as a separate interface message between base stations. Specifically, the master node extracts handover command information and sends it to the secondary node without transmitting the entire RRC message structure. This extraction approach maintains efficient handover control while reducing signaling overhead by transmitting only the necessary data elements between base stations.
Data Source
AI summary
A first master node (MN) receives an interface message from a secondary node (SN), wherein the second interface message comprises at least one of a first measurement configuration and a secondary cell group (SCG) configuration; the first MN transmits a Handover Request message to a second MN, wherein the Handover Request message comprises the at least one of the first measurement configuration and the second SCG configuration; the first MN receives a Handover Request Acknowledge message from the second MN, wherein the Handover Request Acknowledge message comprises a Handover Command message; and the first MN transmits the Handover Command message to the communication device.