RLC Entity Carrier Aggregation Duplication via Dynamic Path Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing carrier aggregation (CA) architecture in 5G networks faces limitations such as high radio resource utilization, inefficient discard processes, and a requirement for multiple RLC entities, which reduces the number of supported user equipment and leads to inefficient radio resource management.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves configuring multiple carrier paths in a single RLC entity, designating one path as primary and another as secondary based on path configuration criteria, and selectively transmitting data packets on these paths based on packet-specific criteria, thereby reducing unnecessary resource usage and improving efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple RLC entities are used for carrier aggregation duplication, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases and the number of supported user equipment decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple RLC entity functions into a single RLC entity by introducing multiple logical channels (first logical channel and second logical channel) that operate under one RLC entity. This single RLC entity manages both logical channels, allowing carrier aggregation duplication functionality without requiring separate RLC entities, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single RLC entity is designed to perform multiple functions by managing both the first logical channel and the second logical channel. This multi-functional RLC entity can handle different carriers and duplication scenarios, making it universally applicable across various user equipment configurations without requiring dedicated RLC entities for each function.
2Reliability
If multiple RLC entities are used for carrier aggregation duplication, then reliability is improved, but the number of supported user equipment decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the functionality of multiple RLC entities into a single RLC entity that manages multiple logical channels, the system reduces the resource footprint per user equipment. This allows the distributed unit to support a larger number of user equipment simultaneously while maintaining the reliability benefits of carrier aggregation duplication through the multi-channel approach.
3Reliability
If duplicate packets are transmitted on all configured paths, then reliability is improved, but radio resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic path selection where the RLC entity selectively transmits duplicate packets on different logical channels based on current transmission conditions. The system can adaptively choose which paths to use for duplication, transmitting on both first and second logical channels when reliability is critical, and potentially using only one channel when conditions permit, thus dynamically optimizing radio resource consumption while maintaining reliability.
4Reliability
If duplicate packets are transmitted on all configured paths, then reliability is improved, but radio resource management efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic transmission approach allows the system to adapt radio resource allocation based on real-time conditions. The RLC entity can efficiently manage resources by selectively activating duplication on specific logical channels, improving overall radio resource management efficiency while maintaining the reliability benefits where needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for managing carrier aggregation (CA) duplication in a network entity is provided. The method includes configuring a plurality of carrier paths in at least one radio link control (RLC) entity of the network entity, configuring at least one path as a primary path and at least another path as a secondary path from among the plurality of configured carrier paths based on a path configuration criteria, selecting at least one of the primary path and the secondary path for transmission of data packets based on at least one of the path configuration criteria and a packet-specific criteria, and transmitting the data packets on the selected paths.