PDCP Data Recovery Synchronization in 5G RAN
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) architectures lack a mechanism to inform the user plane about the need for Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) data recovery during radio link control re-establishment, leading to potential packet losses.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism is introduced to synchronize radio link control re-establishment at the base station's distributed unit with PDCP data recovery by enabling signaling on the E1 interface, allowing the user plane data processing apparatus to perform PDCP data recovery by requesting the retransmission of unacknowledged PDCP packet data units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If RLC re-establishment is performed during uplink/downlink outage, then radio link reliability is improved, but packet loss occurs due to lack of coordination with PDCP data recovery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges RLC re-establishment procedure with PDCP data recovery by introducing a coordination mechanism where the control plane informs the user plane about RLC re-establishment events. This ensures that PDCP data recovery is triggered simultaneously, preventing packet loss while maintaining radio link reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control plane data processing apparatus sends notifications to the user plane data processing apparatus about RLC re-establishment events. This feedback loop ensures that the user plane can coordinate PDCP data recovery actions to prevent packet loss during radio link recovery.
2Ease of manufacture
If control plane and user plane are separated in base station architecture, then system modularity and maintenance ease are improved, but coordination mechanism for PDCP data recovery is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary communication mechanism between the control plane data processing apparatus and user plane data processing apparatus. This intermediary mechanism transmits coordination information about RLC re-establishment events, ensuring that the separation of control plane and user plane does not result in loss of critical coordination information.
3Productivity
If PDCP data recovery is performed without coordination, then data transmission speed is improved, but data packet integrity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the control plane data processing apparatus notify the user plane data processing apparatus about upcoming RLC re-establishment events before they occur. This allows the user plane to prepare and coordinate PDCP data recovery actions, ensuring data packet integrity is maintained while enabling efficient data transmission recovery.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments described herein provide methods and apparatuses for synchronizing radio link control re-establishment between a user equipment (UE) and a base station distributed unit (DU) with Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) data recovery. A method performed by a Control Plane data processing apparatus comprises: obtaining an indication that an uplink and/or downlink outage has occurred between the base station DU and the UE; and transmitting a request to a user plane (UP) data processing apparatus to instruct the UP data processing apparatus to retransmit any data protocol units previously transmitted to the UE which were unacknowledged by the UE.