Dual Connectivity Network Resource Slicing via RRM Identifiers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dual-connectivity (DC) implementations in mixed NR and LTE networks face challenges in identifying groups of users, which inhibits the deployment of EN-DC, especially in networks that employ slicing.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves methods and procedures that determine radio resource management (RRM) identifiers associated with user equipment (UE), subscribers, or groups of UEs. These identifiers are used to manage UE access to resources based on group policies, facilitating group-level radio resource management for both NR and LTE networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If dual-connectivity is deployed in mixed NR and LTE networks, then data capacity and user experience are enhanced, but the ability to identify groups of users is lost, which inhibits deployment in networks that employ slicing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the user identification system by introducing RRM identifiers that specifically identify groups of users at the radio resource management level. This segmentation allows the core network to maintain its slicing architecture while enabling group-level resource management in the RAN through dual-connectivity, thus resolving the contradiction between enhanced data capacity and loss of group identification capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces RRM identifiers as an intermediary mechanism between the core network slicing architecture and the RAN dual-connectivity implementation. These identifiers act as a bridge that carries group identification information through the dual-connectivity interface, enabling both NR and LTE networks to participate in group-level resource management without losing the ability to identify user groups, thus allowing deployment in networks that employ slicing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If group-level radio resource management is implemented, then network resource allocation is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional identifier management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the RRM identifier system universal by designing it to work across both NR and LTE networks in dual-connectivity mode. The same RRM identifier mechanism serves multiple functions: identifying user groups for resource management, enabling slicing support, and facilitating inter-network coordination. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate identification systems for different networks, thereby reducing overall device complexity while improving network resource allocation adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments include methods performed by a first network node configured to operate in a radio access network (RAN). Such methods include determining a radio access technology (RAT)/Frequency Selection Priority (RFSP) index associated with a user equipment (UE) served by the first network node. Such methods include sending, to a second network node, a request for the second network node to establish dual connectivity with the UE as a secondary node (SN). The request includes the RFSP index. Other embodiments include complementary methods performed by the second network node, as well as network nodes configured to perform such methods.