MCG Failure Recovery via SCG Reconfiguration in Wireless Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile communication networks face challenges in managing Master Cell Group (MCG) failures during dual connectivity, leading to data interruptions, call drops, and poor user experience due to the scarcity of suitable MCG cells and lack of consideration for RAN slice-specific services during fast MCG recovery.
Innovation Solution
A method for managing MCG failures by establishing a radio resource control (RRC) connection with both MCG and secondary cell group (SCG), detecting MCG connection failures, transmitting connection failure reports to the network, and receiving RRC reconfiguration information to configure the SCG as the MCG, ensuring seamless service continuity and prioritizing RAN slice-specific services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If MCG failure recovery procedure is performed using TN networks only, then the recovery process is simple, but service continuity is lost in areas where TN is not available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the MCG failure recovery procedure to work with both Terrestrial Networks (TN) and Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) by making the NTN carrier selectable as an SCG for recovery. This multi-functionality allows the system to adapt to different network availability scenarios, providing service continuity whether TN or NTN is available, thereby resolving the contradiction between simplicity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic selection of the SCG for MCG failure recovery based on network availability. The UE can be configured with multiple SCGs (TN and NTN carriers) and dynamically select which one to use for recovery procedures. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize between simplicity (using TN only when available) and service continuity (switching to NTN when TN is unavailable).
2Reliability
If RRC connection re-establishment is triggered on MCG failure, then connection can be re-established, but data interruptions and call drops occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent configures the SCG for MCG failure recovery in advance before the failure occurs. The network provides RRC reconfiguration messages that pre-configure the SCG (either TN or NTN carrier) as a standby for rapid recovery. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for time-consuming cell search and selection procedures when MCG failure occurs, thereby reducing service interruption time while maintaining connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the UE to skip the traditional RRC connection re-establishment procedure by using the pre-configured SCG for fast recovery. Instead of performing full re-establishment which causes data interruptions and call drops, the UE can rapidly switch to the configured SCG, rushing through the recovery process and minimizing service interruption while maintaining connection reliability.
3Reliability
If SCG is configured for fast MCG recovery, then service continuity is improved, but RAN slice-specific services may not be prioritized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by considering RAN slice-specific service requirements when selecting and configuring the SCG for MCG failure recovery. Instead of treating all SCGs uniformly, the network can configure different SCGs with different qualities based on their ability to support specific RAN slices. This ensures that the recovery process not only maintains service continuity but also prioritizes RAN slice-specific services by selecting the most appropriate SCG for each slice type.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a method for managing Master Cell Group (MCG) failure by a User Equipment (UE) supporting a dual connectivity in a wireless communication system. The method comprises establishing a radio resource control (RRC) connection with an MCG and a secondary cell group (SCG). The method comprises detecting a failure of the RRC connection with the MCG. The method comprises transmitting, to a network corresponding to the SCG, a connection failure report upon detecting the failure of the RRC connection with the MCG. The method comprises receiving, from the network corresponding to the SCG, RRC reconfiguration information in response to the transmitted connection failure report, wherein the RRC reconfiguration information includes information about configuring the SCG as the MCG.