SCG Activation via Master-Node MAC CE in Dual Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current MAC CEs in dual connectivity scenarios lack flexibility, preventing the activation of a secondary cell group (SCG) when it is deactivated, as the terminal stops monitoring the physical downlink control channel sent by the secondary node.
Innovation Solution
A MAC CE is designed to allow a first node (e.g., master node) to activate or deactivate cells in a cell group managed by a second node (e.g., secondary node), enhancing flexibility by enabling the master node to manage the SCG even when it is deactivated, using reserved bits and logical channel identifiers for indication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the terminal stops monitoring PDCCH when SCG is deactivated to reduce power consumption, then power consumption is reduced, but the terminal cannot receive MAC CE activation indications from the secondary node
Solution Approach 1:
The master node acts as an intermediary to relay MAC CE activation indications to the terminal. When the SCG is deactivated, the master node receives the activation indication from the secondary node and forwards it to the terminal via PDCCH monitoring that the terminal continues to perform for the master node, thus enabling the terminal to receive activation indications without monitoring PDCCH from the deactivated secondary node
2Device complexity
If the MAC CE is designed to be sent only by the managing node, then the MAC CE design is simple, but it cannot satisfy network side management requirements when SCG is deactivated
Solution Approach 1:
The MAC CE protocol is enhanced to support multiple sending nodes. The MAC CE can now be sent not only by the managing node (secondary node) but also by other nodes (master node) that have been configured with the capability to send such MAC CEs. This multi-functionality allows the MAC CE to satisfy both simple design requirements and flexible network management needs in different scenarios
Data Source
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Figure 3(B)~4(b)
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AI summary
This application provides a configuration method and an apparatus, and relates to the field of communications technologies, so that in a scenario in which an SCG is deactivated, a network side can activate the SCG or a cell in the SCG by using a MAC CE. The method includes: A terminal receives a MAC CE sent by a first node, where the MAC CE is for activating or deactivating one or more cells in a cell group managed by a second node; and then the terminal activates or deactivates, based on the MAC CE, the one or more cells in the cell group managed by the second node.