Master Node MCG Failure Handling via SCG
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional networking techniques in dual and multiple connectivity environments experience communication inefficiencies leading to long service interruptions during communication failures, particularly when a radio link failure occurs on the Master Cell Group (MCG), resulting in delayed re-establishment of connections and performance degradations, especially for delay-sensitive applications.
Innovation Solution
A method where a user equipment (UE) sends a failure message to the master node via the Secondary Cell Group (SCG) or SRB3, allowing the master node to perform connection reconfiguration without initiating radio resource control (RRC) re-establishment procedures, thereby reducing signaling and minimizing service interruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional RRC re-establishment procedures are initiated upon MCG radio link failure, then connection reliability is improved, but service interruption time increases and communication efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring alternative uplink paths (SCG leg and SRB3) during normal operation before failure occurs. When MCG failure happens, the UE can immediately use the pre-configured SCG leg or SRB3 to send failure information to the master node, avoiding the time-consuming process of establishing new connection paths during failure recovery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the SCG leg and SRB3 as intermediary communication paths. Instead of directly re-establishing MCG connection, the failure information is transmitted through the intermediary SCG/SRB3 path to the master node, which then coordinates the recovery process. This intermediary approach allows faster failure reporting while maintaining connection reliability.
2Reliability
If RRC re-establishment procedures are performed upon communication failure, then connection reliability is improved, but signaling overhead increases and communication efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the failure reporting function from the traditional RRC re-establishment procedure. By separating the failure information transmission (done immediately via SCG/SRB3) from the connection reconfiguration (done subsequently via optimized signaling), the patent reduces the signaling overhead associated with full RRC re-establishment while maintaining connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The master node performs preliminary preparation by pre-configuring the UE with alternative uplink paths (SCG leg and SRB3) during normal operation. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for extensive signaling exchanges during failure recovery, as the communication paths are already established and ready for immediate use.
3Loss of time
If fast failure recovery is implemented by avoiding RRC re-establishment, then service interruption time is reduced, but the complexity of failure handling procedures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the failure recovery process into distinct phases: (1) immediate failure detection and reporting via SCG/SRB3, (2) master node reception and decision-making, and (3) coordinated reconfiguration. This segmentation allows each phase to be optimized independently, reducing overall service interruption time while managing complexity through structured procedure division.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods and apparatus are disclosed for user equipment and network nodes.An example method performed by a user equipment (UE) includes the UE detecting a failure relating to a connection between the UE and a Master Cell Group (MCG). The UE provides, to a master node via a Secondary Cell Group, SCG, a first message relating to the detected failure. The UE receives, from the master node via the SCG, a second message indicating to the UE to perform a connection reconfiguration.An example method performed by the master node includes the master node receiving, from the UE via the SCG, the first message including information relating to the detected failure of the connection between the UE and the MCG. The master node determines, based on the first message and a user equipment context, to perform a connection reconfiguration. The master node provides, to the UE via the SCG, the second message indicating to perform the connection reconfiguration.