CU-DU Paging Message Transmission Latency Coordination

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In 5G network architecture with separated centralized and distributed units (CU and DU), there is no effective method for cooperative transmission of paging messages, leading to potential delays due to non-ideal fronthaul latency between the CU and DU.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves generating a paging message with assistance information at the CU, which includes details for the DU to calculate and transmit the message accurately, ensuring timely delivery by accounting for transmission latency and specific transmission parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the base station is separated into CU and DU, then the network architecture gains flexibility and latency-sensitive functions are improved, but the coordination for paging message transmission becomes complex and timing synchronization deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork architecture flexibilityVSAvoidcoordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base station is segmented into CU and DU functional entities with clear division of responsibilities. The CU handles non-latency-sensitive functions including paging message generation and assistance information calculation, while the DU handles latency-sensitive functions including timing execution and message transmission. This segmentation resolves the coordination complexity by establishing well-defined interfaces and explicit timing parameters (expected transmission time point, transmission latency, advance transmission time) that enable efficient cooperative operation despite the architectural split.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the CU transmits paging message to DU, then the paging function is distributed, but transmission latency increases causing missed timing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepaging transmission efficiencyVSAvoidtransmission latency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The CU calculates the transmission latency between itself and the DU in advance, and based on this pre-calculated latency, determines an expected transmission time point for the paging message. The CU then transmits the paging message to the DU at this predetermined time, ensuring that the DU receives and transmits the message at the correct air interface timing. This preliminary action of calculating latency and setting advance transmission time resolves the timing synchronization issue caused by fronthaul delay.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Speed

If the DU transmits paging message independently, then the response time is fast, but the timing accuracy and coordination with CU deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission speedVSAvoidtiming accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The CU provides feedback to the DU in the form of assistance information containing the expected transmission time point calculation results. This feedback enables the DU to transmit the paging message at the precisely timed moment while maintaining fast transmission speed. The assistance information acts as a timing reference that reconciles the need for rapid DU transmission with the requirement for accurate CU-DU coordination, allowing the DU to operate independently yet synchronously with the CU.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3641427B1Method for transmitting paging message, device, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2024.06.05 ZTE CORP
  • EP3641427B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3641427B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3641427B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

Provided are a method and device for transmitting a paging message, and a storage medium. The method includes: generating a paging message, and transmitting the paging message to a distributed network unit (DU), where the paging message includes assistance information, and the assistance information is used for instructing the DU to transmit the paging message.