PDCP Split Bearer Forwarding for Secondary Cell Group Deactivation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently handling packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) operations during secondary cell group (SCG) deactivation, leading to inefficiencies and potential data loss or disruption in LTE and NR networks.

Innovation Solution

Implementing mechanisms at both the user equipment (UE) and base station to manage PDCP entities and split radio bearers in response to SCG deactivation commands, ensuring seamless data handling and minimizing disruptions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If SCG deactivation is implemented to improve network efficiency and reduce resource usage, then energy consumption and resource allocation are optimized, but data transmission reliability and continuity are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoiddata transmission reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by initiating PDCP entity suspension and data forwarding procedures immediately upon receiving the SCG deactivation command, before actual deactivation occurs. This ensures data is already routed through alternative paths (MCG) and prevents transmission interruptions, thereby maintaining reliability while enabling energy-saving deactivation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the PDCP entity as an intermediary mechanism that mediates between the SCG deactivation command and data transmission. By suspending the PDCP entity associated with SCG and forwarding data through the MCG PDCP entity, it acts as a buffer and router that maintains data flow continuity despite SCG deactivation, resolving the conflict between energy saving and transmission reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If PDCP entities are suspended during SCG deactivation to prevent data loss, then data integrity is maintained, but processing time and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata integrityVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent maintains continuity of useful action by immediately forwarding data from the suspended PDCP entity to the MCG PDCP entity without interruption or waiting. This continuous data flow mechanism ensures that data integrity is preserved through proactive forwarding while minimizing processing delays, as the forwarding action occurs seamlessly during the deactivation transition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The suspended PDCP entity performs self-service by automatically forwarding its data to the MCG PDCP entity without requiring external intervention or complex coordination. This self-directed data forwarding reduces processing overhead and time, as the entity autonomously manages its own data migration during SCG deactivation, maintaining integrity with minimal time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Duration of action of stationary object

If data is forwarded through MCG during SCG deactivation to maintain transmission continuity, then service continuity is ensured, but network resource allocation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice continuityVSAvoidnetwork resource allocation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies merging by consolidating data forwarding operations through the existing MCG PDCP entity, which already manages MCG data transmission. By routing SCG data through this established entity rather than creating separate forwarding mechanisms, it ensures service continuity while leveraging existing resource allocation structures, thereby minimizing additional complexity in network resource management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Stability of the object's composition

If split radio bearers are managed during SCG deactivation to maintain bearer continuity, then connection stability is improved, but control signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidcontrol signaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the PDCP entity management functions from the deactivated SCG and relocates them to the MCG PDCP entity. This separation allows the SCG to be deactivated for energy savings while the essential PDCP functions continue to operate through the MCG, maintaining connection stability without requiring complex coordinated control signaling between SCG and MCG entities during deactivation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS12500726B2Packet data convergence protocol handling for secondary cell group deactivation

Publication Date: 2025.12.16 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may receive, from a base station, a secondary cell group (SCG) deactivation command indicating that an SCG associated with the UE is deactivated. The UE may perform an action associated with a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) entity and a split radio bearer associated with the SCG based at least in part on receiving the SCG deactivation command. Numerous other aspects are described.