Radio Link Monitoring Framework with Service-Specific BLER Thresholds

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current Radio Link Monitoring (RLM) systems in 5G New Radio (NR) face challenges in efficiently managing Block Error Ratio (BLER) thresholds for diverse services with varying Quality of Service (QoS) requirements, leading to potential radio link failures and suboptimal performance.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a flexible RLM framework that allows for the configuration of multiple BLER thresholds per Radio Link Monitoring-Reference Signal (RLM-RS) resource, enabling customizable in-sync and out-of-sync indications based on specific service requirements, and the ability to reconfigure RLM parameters dynamically to adapt to changing link conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single BLER threshold is used for RLM, then the system complexity is low, but the ability to meet diverse QoS requirements of different services is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to meet diverse QoS requirementsVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the single BLER threshold into multiple service-specific BLER thresholds (e.g., first BLER threshold for eMBB service, second BLER threshold for URLLC service). Each service type has its own threshold configured by the network, allowing differentiated QoS monitoring without overwhelming complexity through structured service categorization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different BLER threshold values to different service types based on their specific QoS requirements. Critical services like URLLC receive stricter thresholds while less critical services like eMBB receive more relaxed thresholds, optimizing monitoring sensitivity locally for each service category.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If multiple BLER thresholds are configured for different services, then the QoS monitoring precision is improved, but the configuration and management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveQoS monitoring precisionVSAvoidconfiguration and management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables dynamic configuration of BLER thresholds through network signaling (RRC reconfiguration). The network can update thresholds, activate/deactivate specific service thresholds, and adapt monitoring parameters in real-time based on changing service requirements and radio conditions, reducing static configuration burden.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal RLM framework that handles multiple service types through a common monitoring structure. The same WTRU infrastructure monitors multiple services with different thresholds using unified procedures for indication generation and radio link failure detection, managing complexity through standardized multi-functional processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If service-specific BLER thresholds are implemented, then the radio link monitoring accuracy is improved, but the processing overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradio link monitoring accuracyVSAvoidprocessing overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements partial action by allowing the WTRU to focus monitoring efforts on active services only. When certain services are not currently active or do not require strict monitoring, their corresponding threshold checks can be skipped or reduced, decreasing processing overhead while maintaining accuracy for active critical services.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3682572B1Methods, apparatus and systems for radio link monitoring (RLM) in new radio (NR)
Publication Date: 2024.05.22 INTERDIGITAL PATENT HOLDINGS INC
  • EP3682572B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3682572B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3682572B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

Methods, apparatuses, and systems for radio link monitoring (RLM) implemented by a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) are provided. A representative method for RLM includes mapping, by the WTRU, one or more RLM-RS resources to at least one BLER threshold of a plurality of BLER thresholds. The representative method also includes, for each respective RLM resource that is mapped, determining, by the WTRU, a BLER of the respective RLM-RS resource, and comparing the determined BLER of the respective RLM-RS resource with the at least one mapped BLER threshold associated with the respective RLM-RS resource. The representative method further includes generating, based on one or more of the comparisons, a set of in-sync indications and/or a set of out-of-sync indications, and indicating, by the WTRU, one or more attributes associated with the set of in-sync indications and/or the set of out-of-sync indications.