Secondary Base Station Inactivity Timer for Dual Connectivity Bearer Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication networks, maintaining dual connectivity with secondary cell group bearers when there is no activity leads to inefficient use of frequencies and UE power, as conventional approaches lack mechanisms for the secondary base stations to autonomously release inactive bearers, resulting in unnecessary resource usage.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an inactivity timer at the secondary base station, configured by the master base station, to monitor activity on secondary cell group bearers and release them when no traffic is detected, allowing the secondary base station to notify the master base station of the reason for release, which can influence subsequent timer settings for optimizing radio resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dual connectivity with secondary cell group bearers is maintained continuously, then connection reliability is improved, but frequency utilization efficiency deteriorates due to inactive bearers occupying resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic bearer management by introducing an inactivity timer that automatically adjusts bearer states based on traffic conditions. The timer transitions bearers from active to inactive state when no traffic is detected, enabling the system to adapt connectivity resources dynamically rather than maintaining static connections, thus resolving the contradiction between connection reliability and frequency utilization efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of bearers by introducing timer-based state transitions. The inactivity timer monitors traffic patterns and modifies bearer parameters (active/inactive states) accordingly, allowing the system to optimize resource allocation based on actual usage patterns rather than maintaining fixed parameter settings, thereby improving frequency utilization while preserving necessary connections
2Productivity
If secondary base stations autonomously release inactive bearers using inactivity timer, then frequency utilization efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional timer management mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the bearer management function by separating the inactivity monitoring and release decision-making at the secondary base station from the overall connection management at the master base station. The inactivity timer is implemented locally at the SeNB, allowing autonomous release decisions for inactive bearers without requiring complex centralized control, thus improving frequency utilization while limiting the spread of complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the secondary base station to self-manage inactive bearers through locally implemented inactivity timers. The SeNB autonomously monitors its own bearer traffic patterns and releases inactive bearers without requiring continuous intervention from the master base station, reducing the overall system complexity while improving resource utilization efficiency
3Productivity
If inactivity timer is implemented at secondary base station, then bearer release efficiency is improved, but signaling overhead increases due to configuration and status reporting between master and secondary base stations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial action by having the secondary base station autonomously handle bearer release decisions for inactive bearers using local inactivity timers, rather than requiring full centralized control. This partial autonomy reduces the need for continuous signaling between master and secondary base stations, as the SeNB can independently manage routine bearer releases, thereby improving release efficiency while limiting signaling overhead increases
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus management of dual connectivity in wireless communications. A master base station belonging to a wireless communication network including the master base station and a secondary cell group including at least one secondary base station, configures one or more secondary cell group bearers for a secondary base station. Configuring the secondary cell group bearer includes configuring an inactivity timer for the secondary cell group. The inactivity timer is configured to indicate that, if no activity has occurred on the secondary cell group bearer during pendency of the inactivity timer, the secondary cell group bearer is to be released. The master base station then signals the configuration to the secondary base station.