Secondary Cell Group Activation Management for Dual Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communications, devices operating in dual connectivity scenarios face high power consumption due to the need to maintain connections with secondary cell groups even during periods of low data activity, leading to inefficiencies in power usage.
Innovation Solution
Implementing techniques to manage the deactivation and activation of secondary cell groups (SCGs) based on data activity and user equipment preferences, allowing network nodes and user equipment to suspend and resume communications over SCGs as needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UE maintains connections with the SN and SCG during low data activity periods, then the connection reliability and data exchange capability are preserved, but the power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic management of SCG activation status, transitioning between active and deactivated states based on data activity conditions. The SN and UE can change the activation status of the SCG depending on whether data needs to be exchanged, allowing the system to adapt its resource allocation and power consumption levels to current operational requirements rather than maintaining a static connected state
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the SCG by introducing an activation status parameter that can be set to either active or deactivated. When deactivated, the SCG suspends communications while retaining configurations, effectively changing the system state from full operational mode to a low-power standby mode, thereby reducing power consumption without completely releasing the connection
2Use of energy by moving object
If the RAN releases the SN during low data activity, then power consumption is reduced, but the system cannot quickly resume data exchange when data activity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the principle of discarding and recovering by suspending SCG communications during low data activity periods while retaining the configurations. When data activity resumes, the system can quickly recover the data exchange capability by reactivating the SCG using the retained configurations, avoiding the need to re-establish connections from scratch
3Adaptability or versatility
If the UE operates in dual connectivity with MN and SN, then data exchange capability and network coverage are improved, but the device complexity and power demands increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the connectivity management by separating the control plane (handled by MN) from the user plane (handled by SN). This allows independent management of the SCG activation status without affecting the overall dual connectivity framework, reducing the complexity of managing both connections simultaneously while preserving data exchange capabilities
Data Source
AI summary
A network node, operating as a secondary node (SN) for a user equipment (UE) communicating in dual connectivity (DC) with a master node (MN) and the SN, can implement a method for managing deactivation and activation of a secondary cell group (SCG). The method includes detecting (2302) a first indication that an activation status of the SCG is to change, and changing (2304) the activation status at the SN in response to the detecting. Further, the method includes reactivating or releasing (2306) the SCG in response to detecting a second indication related to the SCG.