RRC Message Transmission via Multipath Activation in 5G Dual Connectivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

In 5G wireless communications, the reliability of RRC message transmission is compromised due to poor radio link conditions between terminal devices and base stations, particularly in dual connectivity scenarios where the secondary base station's link quality is suboptimal.

Innovation Solution

The method involves configuring multiple transmission paths between the terminal device and secondary access network devices, allowing the terminal device to transmit RRC messages using a primary path and one or more secondary paths when the primary link quality meets specific trigger conditions, such as low RSRP, RSRQ, CQI, SINR, or high HARQ/ARQ NACKs, thereby enhancing message reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If dual connectivity is established between terminal device and base station to provide higher bandwidth and resolve mobility problem, then device mobility and bandwidth are improved, but RRC message transmission reliability deteriorates when radio link conditions are poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice mobility and bandwidthVSAvoidRRC message transmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the transmission path by introducing multiple transmission paths (first transmission path through master base station, and second transmission path through secondary base station) for RRC message transmission. This allows the terminal device to selectively use different paths based on radio link conditions, thereby maintaining reliability while preserving the mobility and bandwidth benefits of dual connectivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a new dimension to RRC message transmission by enabling simultaneous transmission through multiple base stations (master and secondary) via different transmission paths. This dimensional expansion from single-path to multi-path transmission resolves the reliability issue without sacrificing the adaptability gains from dual connectivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If RRC message is transmitted through secondary base station in dual connectivity scenario, then bandwidth is increased, but transmission reliability deteriorates when radio link between terminal and secondary base station or between secondary and master base station is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebandwidthVSAvoidmessage transmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces the master base station as an intermediary that receives and forwards RRC messages between the terminal device and the core network. By using the master base station as a reliable intermediary with multiple transmission paths available, the system maintains high bandwidth utilization through the secondary base station while ensuring reliability through the master base station's involvement in the transmission process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If single transmission path is used for RRC message transmission, then device complexity is reduced, but transmission reliability is poor when radio link conditions deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission path configurationVSAvoidRRC message transmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic transmission path selection where the terminal device can adaptively choose between the first transmission path (through master base station) and the second transmission path (through secondary base station) based on real-time radio link condition monitoring. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain low complexity by using a single active path at any given time while ensuring high reliability through the availability of multiple paths that can be switched between as conditions change.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3573415B1Methods for transmitting RRC message, terminal device and access network device
Publication Date: 2021.12.29 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3573415B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3573415B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3573415B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

This disclosure provides an RRC message transmission method and apparatus, a terminal device, and an access network device, and belongs to the field of wireless communications technologies. A first access network device sends first configuration information to a terminal device, where the first configuration information includes multipath configuration information and a first trigger condition, the multipath configuration information includes configuration information of a plurality of second transmission paths, and each second transmission path includes a transmission link between the terminal device and one second access network device and an interface link between the first access network device and the second access network device. When a radio link between the terminal device and the first access network device meets the first trigger condition, the terminal device activates the multipath configuration information, and transmits a same RRC message to the first access network device by using a first transmission path and at least one second target transmission path. According to this disclosure, a same RRC message is transmitted by using a plurality of transmission paths, thereby improving RRC message reliability.