Secondary Node Reporting via Cell Identity Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, particularly in 5G NR, there is a challenge when a user equipment (UE) transitions from a connected mode to an inactive or idle state and then attempts to resume dual connectivity at a different location, as the previous secondary node may not be suitable, and the UE struggles to inform the new master node about the feasibility of secondary node cells during resumption, due to large message sizes and security concerns.
Innovation Solution
The UE uses a short identifier or index, shared only with the master node, to report Secondary Node (SN) measurements, reducing message size and enhancing security by configuring a mapping of cell identities for reporting SN measurements, which can be done during the RRC Release message or earlier, allowing efficient communication of SN reports during resumption of dual connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the UE sends detailed measurement results for all secondary cells, then the master node can make accurate decisions about secondary node feasibility, but the message size becomes large and security requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for decision-making (secondary cell measurement results) and separates it from unnecessary data. By using a restricted set of pre-configured cell identities and reporting only measurements for those specific cells, the system extracts the critical measurement data while eliminating redundant information, thus reducing message size while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of reporting measurements for all possible secondary cells, the UE performs partial action by reporting measurements only for a restricted subset of cells that were pre-configured by the master node. This partial reporting approach provides sufficient information for the master node to assess secondary node feasibility without the overhead of complete measurement reports.
2Reliability
If the UE reports comprehensive SN measurements, then the master node can accurately assess secondary node feasibility, but security requirements and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The master node performs preliminary action by pre-configuring the UE with a restricted set of secondary cell identities before the UE needs to report measurements. This advance configuration simplifies the subsequent reporting process, as the UE only needs to measure and report for the pre-specified cells rather than determining which cells to measure, thereby reducing reporting complexity while ensuring reliable connectivity assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-configured list of secondary cell identities acts as an intermediary between the master node and the UE measurement reporting process. This intermediary structure simplifies the interaction by providing a clear, predetermined framework for which cells should be measured and reported, reducing the complexity of the reporting mechanism while maintaining reliable connectivity assessment.
3Loss of information
If the UE uses full cell identities for reporting, then the reporting is complete and accurate, but the message size increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary cell identity information from the complete cell identity structure. By using a restricted set of pre-configured cell identities and reporting measurements only for those specific cells, the system extracts the critical identification data while eliminating redundant information, thus reducing message size while maintaining reporting completeness for the relevant cells.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of reporting measurements for all possible secondary cells with full cell identities, the UE performs partial action by reporting measurements only for a restricted subset of cells that were pre-configured by the master node. This partial reporting approach provides sufficient information for the master node to assess secondary node feasibility without the overhead of complete measurement reports.
Data Source
AI summary
Inform a master node about the feasible of secondary node cells during resumption of dual connectivity may require a large message. Additionally, the message may need to be encrypted. A solution to overcome the size and security limitation is to report a short identifier (or index) which is only shared between the UE and the MN. Accordingly, an apparatus, e.g., a UE, may be configured to receive, from a master node, a configuration comprising a mapping of cell identities for a plurality of secondary cells for reporting SN measurements and transmitting an SN report comprising measurements for at least a subset of the plurality of secondary cells using the mapping of cell identities. The apparatus may be configured to receive, from a first master node, a configuration for MN-DC, enter an inactive state or an idle state, and resume a connected state with a second master node.