Secondary Cell Group Activation in 5G Dual Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing dual-connectivity mode in 5G-NR networks experiences delays due to the need for a signaling handshake between the master node and secondary node for activating or deactivating the secondary cell group, which is detrimental for dynamic data rate changes.
Innovation Solution
The method involves omitting some mutual message exchanges between the dual-connectivity master node and secondary node to facilitate faster activation of the secondary cell group, allowing either node to initiate the activation process by forming a request, sending it over a data radio bearer, and receiving an activation indication from the user equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a signaling handshake is performed between master node and secondary node for activating secondary cell group, then the activation process is controlled and coordinated, but the activation time increases causing delay
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the signaling handshake messages between master node and secondary node from the activation procedure. The secondary node can directly activate the secondary cell group without waiting for confirmation from the master node, taking out the coordinated signaling exchange that causes delay while maintaining necessary control through alternative mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary configuration where the secondary cell group is pre-configured and prepared in advance. When activation is needed, the secondary node can immediately activate the pre-configured resources without performing time-consuming signaling handshakes, as the necessary configuration parameters and resources are already in place.
2Reliability
If signaling handshake is performed between master node and secondary node, then proper coordination is achieved, but network and user equipment energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the energy-consuming signaling handshake messages between network nodes. By eliminating these unnecessary message exchanges, the patent reduces the energy consumption associated with transmission, reception, and processing of signaling messages while maintaining coordination through more efficient mechanisms.
3Reliability
If mutual message exchange is performed for secondary cell group activation, then proper protocol compliance is ensured, but the activation procedure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the complex mutual message exchange procedure from the activation process. By taking out these intermediate signaling steps, the patent simplifies the activation procedure while ensuring protocol compliance is maintained through alternative validation mechanisms and direct activation commands.
Data Source
AI summary
There are provided apparatuses, methods and computer program products. In accordance with an embodiment, there is disclosed a method comprising activating a secondary cell group provided by a secondary node co-operating with a master node for providing dual-connectivity communication resources for a user equipment. The activation is initiated either by the secondary node or the master node. Wherein when the activation is initiated by the secondary node a request is formed to activate the secondary cell group and the request is sent on a data radio bearer to the master node to be delivered to the user equipment for activation of the secondary cell group; and an activation indication is received from the user equipment. Wherein when the activation is initiated by the master node at least one message is received from the user equipment or from the master node; and initiation of the activation of the secondary cell group provided by the secondary node is determined based on the received at least one message.