Relay Node Data Transmission Mechanism for 5G Dual Connectivity

The patent segments control plane data and user plane data into separate transmission paths. Control plane data is transmitted through dedicated signaling radio bearers (SRB), while user plane data is transmitted through data radio bearers (DRB) with separate routing configurations. This segmentation enables independent management and transmission of control and user data, resolving the contradiction between dual connectivity capability and data transmission configuration complexity.

The patent introduces a relay node as an intermediary between user equipment and multiple central units. The relay node receives configuration information from the network, establishes separate data transmission paths for control and user plane data, and manages the routing of data belonging to itself and child nodes. This intermediary structure enables dual connectivity while maintaining organized data transmission.

The patent implements segmentation by creating distinct transmission paths: control plane data uses signaling radio bearers (SRB) with dedicated configuration, while user plane data uses data radio bearers (DRB) with separate routing. This segmentation improves transmission reliability by preventing control and user data from interfering with each other, while the unified configuration management mechanism maintains configuration simplicity.

Instead of transmitting both control and user plane data through the same path and then separating them at the destination, the patent inverts the approach by separating them at the source (relay node) and transmitting through dedicated paths from the beginning. This inversion ensures reliability while the centralized configuration management maintains simplicity.

The patent creates a universal configuration management mechanism that handles both control plane and user plane data transmission through a unified interface. The relay node receives comprehensive configuration information that covers both data types, and the system provides multi-functional capabilities for managing different data streams. This universality reduces the perceived configuration complexity while maintaining separate transmission paths for improved throughput.

The relay node is configured to automatically manage the separation and routing of control and user plane data based on received configuration information. The system implements self-service by autonomously establishing separate transmission paths, managing data belonging to the relay node and child nodes, and handling routing decisions without requiring manual intervention for each data stream, thus reducing configuration complexity while maintaining high throughput.

The patent extracts the data management complexity by separating the handling of relay node's own data from child nodes' data. The system uses distinct configuration information and routing mechanisms: data belonging to the relay node is managed through one set of parameters, while data belonging to child nodes is managed through separate parameters including child node identification and specific routing information. This extraction simplifies the overall data management complexity while maintaining support for multiple child nodes.

The patent adds a new dimension to data management by introducing child node identification and hierarchical routing parameters. Instead of managing all data uniformly, the system creates a multi-dimensional management structure that distinguishes between relay node data and child node data, enabling organized handling of multiple child nodes while maintaining manageable complexity through structured parameter organization.