Secondary-Node SRB Configuration for Direct RRC Signaling

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Solution Overview

Problem

In current dual connectivity systems, the secondary base station does not provide a signaling radio bearer (SRB), leading to inefficient processing of radio resource control (RRC) messages, as all messages are handled by the master base station, which does not meet scheduling requirements and hampers efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method is introduced to establish an SRB on the secondary node, allowing direct RRC message transmission between the secondary node and the terminal, with configuration information being shared between the master and secondary nodes to facilitate efficient SRB setup and management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If all RRC messages are processed by the master base station in a dual connectivity system, then the signaling radio bearer is provided by the master base station, but the RRC message processing efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignaling radio bearer provisionVSAvoidRRC message processing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the RRC message processing function by establishing separate signaling radio bearers for the master base station and secondary base station. The terminal configures multiple SRBs, with SRB1 for the master base station and SRB2 for the secondary base station, allowing parallel processing of RRC messages through different paths, thus improving overall processing efficiency while maintaining reliable signaling provision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If the secondary base station does not provide a signaling radio bearer, then the system structure is simplified, but the scheduling requirement cannot be met

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem structureVSAvoidscheduling requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the secondary base station to independently provide signaling radio bearer services to the terminal. The terminal autonomously configures SRB2 for the secondary base station, allowing the secondary base station to handle its own RRC messaging without requiring all messages to route through the master base station, thereby meeting scheduling requirements while maintaining system structure simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of time

If the terminal sends RRC message directly to the secondary node, then the transmission latency is reduced, but the configuration complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission latencyVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary configuration of multiple signaling radio bearers before direct RRC message transmission. The terminal pre-configures SRB1 for the master base station and SRB2 for the secondary base station, along with associated radio resource configurations. This preliminary setup enables direct RRC message transmission to the secondary node with reduced latency, while the configuration complexity is managed through structured pre-configuration procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3979737B1Configuration method and apparatus, and system
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3979737B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2(a)
  • EP3979737B1 patent drawingFigure 2(b)~2(c)
  • EP3979737B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~4

AI summary

Embodiments of this application provide a configuration method, applied to a communications system. The communications system includes a master node and a secondary node that jointly provide a service for a terminal. The method includes: generating, by the secondary node, configuration information for a signaling radio bearer (SRB) , where the SRB is used to transmit a radio resource control (RRC) message between the secondary node and the terminal; sending, by the secondary node, the configuration information for the SRB to the master node, so that the configuration information for the SRB is sent to the terminal through the master node; and receiving, by the secondary node, a result of configuring the SRB by the terminal by using the configuration information for the SRB. In this way, the SRB can be established on the secondary node, and used for RRC message transmission between the secondary node and the terminal, thereby improving efficiency in radio resource management on the secondary node.