Intra-UE Coexistence Between NSA and SA Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in intra-UE coexistence between non-stand-alone (NSA) and stand-alone (SA) modes, particularly in managing dual connectivity configurations and radio resource allocation across different radio access technologies like LTE and 5G NR, leading to configuration failures and inefficient resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
A wireless device is configured to provide dual connectivity status information during RRC connection procedures, enabling multiple instances of communication stacks to support both NSA and SA modes, with dynamic resource allocation and sharing of physical RF resources to manage simultaneous connections and avoid configuration failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a UE supports both NSA and SA modes with dual connectivity configurations, then the adaptability and service coverage are improved, but the device complexity and configuration management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication stack into separate NSA and SA mode instances, allowing independent configuration and management of each mode. This segmentation enables the UE to handle multiple modes simultaneously without configuration conflicts, as each mode operates in its own instance with dedicated resource allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal communication stack architecture that can operate in both NSA and SA modes through multiple instances. The same underlying stack structure serves multiple functions by instantiating separate NSA and SA components, allowing the UE to adapt to different network modes while maintaining a unified design framework.
2Productivity
If multiple instances of communication stacks are enabled for simultaneous NSA and SA operation, then the service continuity and resource utilization are improved, but the processing overhead and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the NSA and SA communication stacks at the physical layer, allowing shared use of RF resources, antennas, and baseband processing components. This merging reduces the overall processing overhead and energy consumption compared to having completely separate stacks, while still maintaining simultaneous operation capabilities through virtualization and resource scheduling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic resource allocation and switching mechanisms that allow the UE to flexibly activate or deactivate specific stack instances based on current network conditions and service requirements. This dynamic approach optimizes energy consumption by processing only what is currently needed, rather than maintaining full processing capacity for all modes simultaneously.
3Productivity
If dual connectivity configuration is enforced for NSA mode, then the throughput and network capacity are improved, but the configuration failure rate increases when SA mode is also active
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that monitor the operational status and configuration state of both NSA and SA modes. When configuration conflicts are detected or when one mode becomes active, the system provides feedback to dynamically adjust the other mode's configuration, preventing failure by adapting to current system state rather than enforcing rigid dual connectivity requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the communication stacks based on detected conflicts or mode transitions. When SA mode is active, the system modifies NSA configuration parameters to prevent conflicts, such as adjusting resource allocation or disabling certain dual connectivity features, thereby maintaining high throughput while avoiding configuration failures through adaptive parameter adjustment.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for a user equipment device (UE) to perform intra-UE co-existence between non-stand-alone (NSA) and stand-alone (SA) mode. The UE may be configured to connect to a first radio access network (RAN) operating according to a first radio access technology (RAT) via a first radio and connect to a second RAN operating according to a second RAT via a second radio. The UE may provide, to the first RAN, configuration information during a radio resource control (RRC) connection procedure. The configuration information may indicate a dual connectivity status of the UE. The dual connectivity status may include indication disabling (enabling) dual connectivity for the UE, working frequencies associated with the second RAN, and/or configurations associated with the second RAN. The UE may receive, from the first RAN, a dual connectivity configuration that may be based on the dual connectivity status of the UE and operate accordingly.