Radio Link Failure Detection in Dual Connectivity Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems supporting dual connectivity, existing technologies face challenges in managing radio links between user equipment and multiple base stations, leading to inefficient network performance when a radio link failure occurs, as they unconditionally declare a radio link failure even if another link is available, resulting in unnecessary reestablishment procedures.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for radio link control in a wireless communication system that allows user equipment to detect radio link failures in secondary serving cells and transmit an RLF indicator to the master base station, enabling individual management of radio links and preventing unnecessary reestablishment procedures by deconfiguring the failed link without declaring a general radio link failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a radio link failure is unconditionally declared when a problem occurs in one radio link, then the system ensures reliability by detecting and responding to link failures, but the network performance deteriorates due to unnecessary RRC reestablishment procedures when another link is still available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the radio link monitoring and failure declaration process into separate components for each serving cell. Instead of a unified RLF declaration for all links, the system independently monitors each radio link (macro cell and small cell) and declares RLF only for the specific failed link, allowing other links to remain operational and avoid unnecessary RRC reestablishment procedures.
2Reliability
If the system performs RRC reestablishment procedure when a radio link failure is detected, then the system maintains connection reliability, but the time consumption increases due to the reestablishment procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the connection management into link-specific RLF declarations. When a radio link failure occurs in one serving cell, the system declares RLF only for that specific link rather than initiating a full RRC reestablishment procedure. This segmentation allows the connection to be maintained through other available links, significantly reducing time loss while preserving connection reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system manages multiple radio links simultaneously in dual connectivity, then the adaptability and data transmission efficiency improve, but the device complexity increases due to multiple link monitoring and management requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by creating independent monitoring and management mechanisms for each radio link in dual connectivity. Each serving cell (macro cell and small cell) has its own RLF detection and declaration process, which simplifies the overall management complexity by treating each link independently rather than managing them as a unified complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the user equipment monitors radio link quality for each serving cell and reports to the network. This intermediary reporting system manages the complexity of dual connectivity by providing structured feedback on each link's status, enabling the network to make informed decisions about link maintenance and reconfiguration.
4Measurement precision
If the system declares a general radio link failure when any link fails, then the measurement precision of failure detection is high, but the loss of information occurs because the status of other available links is not properly reflected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the failure detection and declaration process into link-specific operations. Each radio link is monitored independently with precise failure detection, and RLF is declared only for the specific failed link. This segmentation preserves accurate information about the status of other available links, preventing information loss about their operational state.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an apparatus for wireless link (radio link) control in a wireless communication system supporting dual connectivity is disclosed. The present invention includes: detecting radio link failure (RLF) of a secondary serving cell provided from a secondary base station, separately from detecting RLF of a primary serving cell provided from a master base station; generating a RLF specifier specifying an occurrence of RLF of the secondary serving cell when RLF of the secondary serving cell is detected; and transmitting the RLF specifier to an RRC connected master base station. A wireless link between a terminal and a master base station and a wireless link between a terminal and a secondary base station can be managed individually when a terminal is dually connected to both the master base station and the secondary base station in a network.