Single PDCP Anchored Handover Split Bearer Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current handover procedures in wireless communications systems result in increased system overhead and power consumption due to additional protocol coordination between source and target base stations, and not all user equipment (UE) support dual connectivity, which can lead to suboptimal handover latency and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a handover procedure that allows a UE to maintain communication with both source and target base stations using a single packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) anchored at one of the base stations, with a split bearer configuration to reduce latency and overhead, enabling simultaneous data transmission and reception through both stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional handover procedures are used with full protocol coordination between source and target base stations, then communication reliability is maintained, but system overhead and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the PDCP layer from the handover coordination process. By anchoring the PDCP layer at the source base station and not requiring its participation in the handover procedure, the system eliminates the overhead of coordinating protocol layers during handover, while maintaining communication reliability through the anchored PDCP layer that continues to handle data packets seamlessly.
2Reliability
If dual connectivity is implemented to maintain communication with both base stations, then communication continuity is improved, but device compatibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the protocol stack by anchoring only the PDCP layer at the source base station while allowing the lower layers to transition to the target base station. This segmentation enables UEs regardless of dual connectivity capability to maintain communication continuity, as the anchored PDCP layer handles the complexity of simultaneous connections while the UE only needs to support basic handover functionality.
3Reliability
If full protocol coordination is maintained during handover, then communication reliability is ensured, but handover latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by anchoring the PDCP layer at the source base station before handover begins. This pre-configuration allows the PDCP layer to continue processing and forwarding data packets without interruption during the handover transition, eliminating the need for protocol re-negotiation and reducing handover latency while maintaining communication reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described for a handover procedure that allows a user equipment (UE) to keep both the source and the target base station until after handover is complete while using a single packet data convergence protocol (PDCP). In the procedure, a source base station may decide to configure bearers as split bearers during handover. Then, the source base station may transmit a handover request to the target base station, and the radio bearer configuration is added to the handover preparation and response messages. The target base station may transmit the decision on the proposed configuration in a handover response message to the source base station. The source base station may transmit a handover command to the UE with the radio bearer configuration, and the UE may configure its bearers and will maintain the split bearer configuration until the UE receives a new bearer configuration.