Dynamic Threshold Adjustment for Improper Secondary Node Changes

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Solution Overview

Problem

In dual connectivity mode of wireless communication, there is a challenge in minimizing improper communication node changes, such as too early or too late changes, which affect the robustness and efficiency of network connections.

Innovation Solution

The method involves a master communication node and a secondary communication node exchanging messages to request and confirm changes in connections, with the nodes adjusting thresholds based on the success or failure of these changes to optimize future communication node changes, using specific reason codes to identify improper changes like Wrong, Too Early, Too Late, or Ping-Pong changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If communication node changes are made frequently to optimize network performance, then network adaptability improves, but connection stability deteriorates due to too many improper changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork adaptabilityVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the master communication node receives failure information from secondary nodes about improper changes (too early, too late, wrong, or ping-pong changes). This feedback is used to adjust change thresholds dynamically, reducing the frequency of improper changes while maintaining necessary adaptability. The system learns from past failures and modifies its behavior accordingly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameters (thresholds) that control when communication node changes occur. By adjusting these thresholds based on accumulated statistics from failure information, the system optimizes the balance between adaptability and stability. The thresholds are modified to prevent both too-frequent and too-rare changes, achieving an optimal operating point.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If change thresholds are set low to enable frequent node changes, then network responsiveness improves, but the frequency of improper changes increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork responsivenessVSAvoidchange success rate
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the change thresholds dynamic rather than static. The thresholds adapt based on the accumulated statistics from failure information received from secondary nodes. This allows the system to respond quickly when conditions warrant changes while preventing improper changes when thresholds indicate instability, thus balancing responsiveness and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If change thresholds are set high to reduce improper changes, then connection stability improves, but network responsiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidnetwork responsiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts thresholds based on accumulated statistics, allowing high stability when needed while maintaining responsiveness when conditions change. The adaptive nature prevents the system from being overly conservative, ensuring that legitimate changes are not blocked while improper changes are prevented.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If nodes accumulate statistics from failure information to adjust thresholds, then long-term network robustness improves, but short-term signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork robustnessVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses self-service principles where secondary nodes autonomously generate and send failure information to the master node when improper changes occur. The master node accumulates these statistics and automatically adjusts thresholds without external intervention. This minimizes the need for additional signaling infrastructure while achieving robustness through learned experience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3777318B1Secondary communication node change
Publication Date: 2024.08.14 ZTE CORP
  • EP3777318B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3777318B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3777318B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices related to mobility robustness in dual connectivity mode are described. In one representative aspect, a method for wireless communication includes receiving, at a master communication node, a first message from a first secondary communication node requesting a change from a first connection to a second connection. The method includes transmitting a second message to the second secondary communication node to request establishing the second connection. The method includes receiving a third message from the mobile device confirming a configuration of the second connection. The method includes receiving a fourth message from the mobile device indicating a failure of the second connection. The method further includes transmitting a fifth message to the first secondary communication node to report that the change from the first connection to the second connection is an improper change.