RRC Message Segmentation Error Handling in Wireless Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
The limitations in packet size below the RRC layer in wireless networks, such as 9 KB in New Radio (NR) and 8188 KB in Long Term Evolution (LTE), restrict the complexity and advancement of RRC message configurations that can be sent from the network to the User Equipment (UE).
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves segmenting large RRC messages into smaller parts to comply with the packet size limitations, allowing each segment to be sent individually. The UE is equipped with mechanisms to determine when all segments of an RRC message have been received, enabling proper decoding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If RRC messages are segmented into smaller parts to comply with packet size limitations, then the configurability and complexity of RRC messages can be improved, but the risk of errors from combining segments of different RRC messages increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides large RRC messages into multiple segments that can be transmitted separately within packet size limitations. Each segment is identified with message identity information, allowing the UE to correctly associate segments with their parent message and avoid combining segments from different messages, thus resolving the reliability issue while maintaining configurability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the network monitors the reception status of RRC message segments at the UE. Based on this feedback, the network can determine whether to continue transmitting remaining segments or to initiate a new RRC message, preventing the UE from incorrectly combining segments of different messages and ensuring reliable message assembly
2Reliability
If the network monitors and manages segmented RRC message transmission, then message assembly reliability can be improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the UE to autonomously manage segment reception by maintaining an internal buffer and using message identity information to match incoming segments with their parent messages. This self-service capability reduces the monitoring and management burden on the network side, achieving reliable message assembly without significantly increasing system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed herein that enable a wireless communication device (WCD) and/or a network node to perform a recovery action(s) when a failure occurs during reception, at the WCD, of a segmented Radio Resource Control (RRC) message. Embodiments of a method performed by a WCD are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method performed by a WCD comprises receiving one or more segments of a segmented RRC message and determining that an error has occurred before a last segment of the segmented RRC message has been received. The method further comprises, upon determining that the error has occurred before the last segment of the segmented RRC message has been received, performing one or more recovery actions. In this manner, a situation where the WCD combines segments of a first RRC message with segments of a second RRC message is avoided and, hence, errors due to such combining are avoided.