RLC Entity Activation in Dual-Connectivity Radio Bearers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems face challenges in ensuring high reliability and low latency for ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) services, particularly in scenarios involving dual connectivity (DC) and carrier aggregation (CA), where accurately managing multiple radio link control (RLC) entities for data transmission is crucial but not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
A data transmission method and apparatus that involves a secondary network device receiving indication information from a master network device to determine and activate/deactivate RLC entities, using specific indication formats to manage up to three secondary RLC entities associated with a radio bearer, thereby improving data transmission reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple RLC entities are configured for one radio bearer to improve data transmission reliability, then the reliability of URLLC service is improved, but the complexity of managing and indicating RLC entity statuses increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the indication of RLC entity statuses into two parts: first indication information (from master network device to secondary network device) and second indication information (from secondary network device to terminal device). This segmentation allows complex multi-RLC entity management to be broken down into manageable steps, where the master network device determines the master RLC entity and the secondary network device indicates statuses of up to three secondary RLC entities using 3 bits, thereby reducing overall management complexity while maintaining high reliability
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the terminal device directly manage all RLC entities, the patent inverts the management hierarchy by introducing a master RLC entity controlled by the master network device and multiple secondary RLC entities controlled by the secondary network device. This inversion allows centralized control while distributing the actual indication burden, resolving the contradiction between reliability improvement through multiple entities and the complexity of managing them
2Measurement precision
If 3 bits are used to indicate statuses of up to three secondary RLC entities, then the indication precision is improved, but the information overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of indication information by using exactly 3 bits to represent the statuses of up to three secondary RLC entities. This parameter change optimizes the balance between precision and overhead: 3 bits provide sufficient precision to indicate all possible status combinations (2^3 = 8 states covering all scenarios from 0 to 3 active entities) while keeping the information overhead minimal compared to using separate indication fields for each entity
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of this application provide a data transmission method and an apparatus. When more than two radio link control RLC entities are configured for one radio bearer RB, a secondary network device receives indication information from a master network device. The secondary network device may determine, based on the indication information, a master RLC entity associated with the radio bearer, to indicate, to a terminal device, RLC entities that need to be activated and deactivated.