Radio Bearer Resumption With Single-Layer Packet Reordering

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Solution Overview

Problem

The fifth generation wireless communication system faces challenges in efficiently handling packet duplication and resumption of Radio Bearers (RBs) due to the need for flexible air-interface designs to support diverse user equipment capabilities and use cases, particularly in scenarios involving LTE-NR interworking, where duplicate reordering and data volume calculation are not effectively managed, leading to latency and resource inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A method is proposed for handling packet duplication and resumption of RBs by optimizing the reordering processes at the LTE RLC and NR PDCP layers, disabling unnecessary reordering functions, and enabling out-of-sequence delivery in specific configurations, along with enhanced buffer status reporting and RRC connection re-establishment procedures to support faster recovery and resource allocation in EN-DC and CA scenarios.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If reordering functions are enabled at both LTE RLC and NR PDCP layers, then packet delivery reliability is improved, but processing latency increases and system complexity worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepacket delivery reliabilityVSAvoidprocessing latency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the redundant reordering function from one of the layers (either LTE RLC or NR PDCP) while retaining it at the other layer. This eliminates duplicate reordering operations that cause latency without compromising packet delivery reliability, as the single remaining reordering function suffices to ensure in-sequence delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the reordering functionality into a single layer rather than maintaining separate reordering functions at both LTE RLC and NR PDCP layers. This consolidation reduces processing overhead and eliminates the need for coordinated reordering operations, thereby reducing latency while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If duplicate reordering is performed at LTE RLC and NR PDCP layers, then packet delivery reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepacket delivery reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the redundant reordering function from the system by disabling it at one layer (either LTE RLC or NR PDCP). This reduces device complexity by eliminating duplicate processing logic while maintaining reliability through the single remaining reordering function at the other layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If in-sequence delivery is enforced at PDCP layer, then packet delivery reliability is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvein-sequence deliveryVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the RLC layer handles reordering before packets reach the PDCP layer. This allows PDCP to receive already-reordered packets from RLC, eliminating the need for PDCP to perform time-consuming reordering operations while still ensuring in-sequence delivery at the PDCP interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3662721B1Method and system for handling packet duplication and resumption of rbs in wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3662721B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3662721B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5b
  • EP3662721B1 patent drawingFigure 5c~8

AI summary

Embodiment herein provides a method for handling packet duplication and resumption of Radio Bearers (RBs) in a wireless communication system. The method includes receiving, by a base station, a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection reestablishment request message from a User Equipment (UE). Further, the method includes sending, by the base station, a RRC connection reestablishment message on a default Signaling Radio Bearer (SRB) to the UE. The RRC connection reestablishment message is sent on the default SRB for allowing a re-establishment of Dedicated Radio Bearers (DRBs), a first SRB, and a second SRB without waiting for reception of a RRC reestablishment complete message from the UE. Further, the method includes receiving, by the base station, the RRC reestablishment complete message from the UE.