Secondary eNB Mobility Management via Dedicated Signalling Bearers

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Solution Overview

Problem

In LTE-A systems, the secondary eNB (SeNB) is unable to improve mobility management and radio resource management for user equipment (UE) due to limited capabilities in dual connectivity configurations.

Innovation Solution

The method involves configuring a radio resource control (RRC) connection and signalling radio bearer (SRB) between a communication device and two base stations, allowing the secondary base station to receive measurement reports and add or change secondary cells based on measurement configurations, thereby enhancing its role in mobility and resource management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the SeNB is configured in traditional dual connectivity, then the MeNB performs all mobility management and radio resource management, but the SeNB cannot improve performance in these areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobility management performanceVSAvoidSeNB management capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the management functions by establishing separate signalling radio bearers (SRB0, SRB1, SRB2) for different purposes: SRB0 for basic signalling, SRB1 for measurement reports and mobility management between SeNB and UE, and SRB2 for radio resource management. This segmentation enables the SeNB to independently perform mobility and resource management tasks without being constrained by the traditional MeNB-centric architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the SeNB receives measurement reports via the MeNB, then the signalling path is established, but the management efficiency and responsiveness are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanagement efficiencyVSAvoidsignalling delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dedicated signalling radio bearers as intermediaries between the SeNB and UE. SRB1 acts as a direct communication channel for measurement reports from UE to SeNB, while SRB2 serves as an intermediary for radio resource management signalling. This intermediary mechanism eliminates the need for all signalling to route through the MeNB, reducing signalling delays and improving management efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3041310B1Methods of handling simultaneous communications and related communication devices

Publication Date: 2018.09.26 HTC CORP

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AI summary

A method of handling simultaneous communications comprises a first base station configuring a radio resource control (RRC) connection to a communication device; the second base station configuring a signalling radio bearer (SRB) to the communication device via the first base station; the second base station transmitting a second measurement configuration to the communication device; the second base station receiving a second measurement report corresponding to the second measurement configuration via the SRB from the communication device; and the second base station adding a secondary cell (SCell) of the second base station to the communication device, releasing a SCell of the communication device, or changing a primary secondary cell (PSCell) of the communication device via the first base station or via the SRB.