Secondary Node Eligibility in Dual Connectivity Bearer Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication networks face challenges in efficiently managing data bearers for carrier aggregation, particularly in dual connectivity scenarios, where determining eligible secondary base stations and performing bearer relocation across different gateway nodes is complex and often requires changes to the Serving Gateway or S11 interface.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves modifying the Mobility Management Entity (MME) to determine eligible secondary base stations for dual connectivity, allowing for bearer level splitting with data bearers terminating at the core network or the Radio Access Network (RAN), and using new interfaces like X2 and X3 for data forwarding between master and secondary eNBs, enabling seamless bearer management and routing without requiring changes to the Serving Gateway or S11 interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If bearer relocation is performed across different gateway nodes in dual connectivity scenarios, then data transmission flexibility is improved, but network complexity and configuration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the bearer management function by introducing a dedicated bearer management entity that separates bearer control from gateway node operations. This allows bearer relocation to be managed independently without complex coordination between gateway nodes, maintaining transmission flexibility while reducing network complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary bearer management entity that mediates between the UE, base stations, and gateway nodes during bearer relocation. This intermediary coordinates the relocation process, simplifying the interactions and reducing overall network complexity while enabling flexible data transmission paths.
2Productivity
If secondary base station eligibility is determined dynamically, then dual connectivity performance is improved, but signaling overhead and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-determining and caching secondary base station eligibility criteria during network setup and configuration phases. This allows the network to quickly assess eligibility during runtime without performing complex real-time evaluations, thus improving dual connectivity performance while minimizing processing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by dynamically adjusting eligibility determination based on pre-configured thresholds and conditions. Instead of complex real-time calculations, the system monitors key parameters and triggers eligibility changes when predefined conditions are met, improving performance while keeping processing simple.
3Productivity
If bearer level splitting is implemented with data bearers terminating at the RAN, then routing efficiency is improved, but interface complexity and security management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the bearer termination function from the core network gateway and places it at the RAN level. This extraction allows routing decisions to be made locally at the RAN, improving routing efficiency while the standardized interfaces between RAN and core network maintain manageable complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension to bearer management by allowing bearers to terminate at multiple locations (both RAN and core network). This multi-dimensional termination capability enables flexible routing paths while maintaining interface simplicity through standardized protocols at each termination point.
4Adaptability or versatility
If new interfaces like X2 and X3 are introduced for data forwarding, then bearer management flexibility is improved, but network configuration complexity and interoperability challenges increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the new X2 and X3 interfaces to be multi-functional, serving both bearer management and data forwarding purposes. This universal interface design provides the needed flexibility while reducing configuration complexity compared to having separate dedicated interfaces for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic interface activation where X2 and X3 interfaces are activated only when needed for specific bearer scenarios. This dynamic approach provides flexibility for complex bearer management while keeping the default configuration simple, reducing overall configuration complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for wireless communication are described herein. In one aspect, a method may include establishing, by a first base station, a connection to a User Equipment (UE) and identifying a second base station to which the UE can also connect, determining whether dual connectivity of the UE to the base stations is permitted, and selecting, based on the determining, handing over the UE to the second base station or initiating dual connectivity for the UE. In another aspect, a method may include receiving a request for modifying bearers routed via a first gateway node for dual connectivity of a UE to a master base station and a secondary base station, determining that the modification requires bearers to relocate to a second gateway node, and rejecting the request or relocating all bearers associated with the UE to the second gateway node, based on the determining.