SCG Bearer Remapping for 5G Dual Connectivity Deactivation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3GPP standards do not specify how to handle the secondary cell group (SCG) bearer and the SCG leg of the split bearer upon deactivation in 5G NR dual connectivity wireless communications.
Innovation Solution
The network and user equipment (UE) cease transmissions over the SCG bearer and SCG leg of the split bearer and transition to a primary cell group (PCG) bearer and PCG leg of the split bearer upon SCG deactivation. Additionally, the SCG bearer can be remapped to another bearer, such as a PCG bearer or split bearer, and reactivated when predetermined criteria are met.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If SCG bearer is deactivated to improve network efficiency, then network resource utilization is improved, but data transmission continuity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring an alternate bearer before SCG deactivation occurs. When the SCG deactivation indication is received, the UE can immediately switch data transmission to the pre-configured alternate bearer, avoiding transmission interruptions. This preparatory configuration ensures seamless transition and maintains data transmission continuity while enabling network efficiency improvements through SCG deactivation.
2Device complexity
If SCG bearer is deactivated to reduce complexity, then bearer management complexity is reduced, but adaptability of data transmission paths deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an alternate bearer as an intermediary transmission path. When the SCG bearer is deactivated, the alternate bearer serves as a mediator to maintain data transmission. The base station configures this intermediate bearer specifically for handling data that would otherwise traverse the deactivated SCG bearer, thus preserving transmission path adaptability without requiring complex reconfiguration procedures.
3Reliability
If SCG bearer remapping is implemented to maintain transmission continuity, then data transmission reliability is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces signaling overhead by performing preliminary configuration of the alternate bearer before SCG deactivation. The base station sends the alternate bearer configuration in advance, so when deactivation occurs, the UE can switch paths without requiring extensive real-time signaling. This preliminary setup minimizes the information exchange needed during the actual transition, thereby reducing signaling overhead while maintaining transmission reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A user equipment (UE) is configured to receive, from a base station of a wireless network, a deactivation indication indicating that a secondary cell group (SCG) of a dual connectivity (DC) wireless communications configuration has been deactivated, receive, from the base station, a remapping indication indicating that SCG data originally mapped to an SCG bearer should be remapped to an alternate bearer, remap the SCG data to the alternate bearer based on the remapping indication and transmit data over the alternate bearer.