Radio Resource Control Configuration in Dual Connectivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

In dual connectivity scenarios, there is a challenge in coordinating radio resource control between macro and small cells to ensure that configurations do not exceed the capabilities of user equipment (UE), leading to potential violations and inefficiencies in radio resource management.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method where information about UE capability is shared between macro and small cells, allowing the small cell to reconfigure radio resources directly while ensuring that configurations remain within the UE's capabilities, and using signaling mechanisms like the Xn interface to manage and prioritize configuration commands to prevent capability violations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the small cell reconfigures radio resources directly without coordination, then the reconfiguration speed is improved, but the risk of UE capability violations increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereconfiguration speedVSAvoidcapability compliance

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The macro cell pre-configures the UE with a second radio resource control connection to the small cell before the UE actually connects to it. This preliminary setup includes providing configuration parameters and capability information, so that when the UE later connects to the small cell, the reconfiguration can proceed quickly without violating UE capabilities, because the groundwork has already been laid by the macro cell

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the macro cell coordinates all radio resource configurations, then UE capability violations are prevented, but the reconfiguration latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability complianceVSAvoidreconfiguration latency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The radio resource control functionality is segmented between two nodes: the macro cell handles preliminary configuration and capability management, while the small cell handles actual radio resource reconfiguration. This segmentation allows the macro cell to ensure capability compliance through pre-configuration, while the small cell can perform fast reconfiguration without macro cell involvement in every step, thus reducing latency while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple radio resource control connections are established, then the network flexibility and carrier aggregation capability are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork flexibilityVSAvoidconnection management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the control functions of multiple radio resource control connections by having the macro cell provide unified configuration information to the UE about the small cell connection. Instead of the UE managing separate independent connections, the macro cell's pre-configuration integrates the control, reducing the perceived complexity at the UE while maintaining the flexibility and capability of multiple connections for carrier aggregation and dual connectivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10455549B2Control of resources

Publication Date: 2019.10.22 NOKIA SOLUTIONS & NETWORKS OY

AI summary

A method including receiving information at an apparatus; and using said information for configuration of a radio resource control connection of said apparatus with a first node controlling a first cell and a second node controlling a second cell; and wherein said configuration of a radio resource control connection is made in dependence on a capability of said apparatus.