Dual Connectivity Indication in SIB for Wider Bandwidth Cell Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
5G UEs lack visibility into whether LTE or NR cells can support wider bandwidth dual connectivity, leading to suboptimal data throughput and increased network signaling due to unnecessary handovers.
Innovation Solution
Introduce a new Information Element (IE) in the System Information Block (SIB) to indicate whether a specific LTE or NR cell can support wider bandwidth dual connectivity, allowing 5G UEs to prioritize cells that can handle ENDC or NRDC, thereby reducing handovers and improving data throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If 5G UEs connect to multiple base stations for dual connectivity to increase bandwidth, then data throughput is improved, but UEs lack visibility into whether neighboring cells can support wider bandwidth dual connectivity leading to suboptimal cell selection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cell capability information by introducing a specific Information Element (IE) within the System Information Block (SIB) that separately indicates wider bandwidth dual connectivity support. This segmentation allows UEs to specifically identify cells with enhanced capabilities without being overwhelmed by general system information, directly resolving the visibility problem while enabling targeted connection to high-throughput cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by having base stations pre-indicate their wider bandwidth dual connectivity capabilities through the Information Element in SIB before UEs attempt to connect. This advance notification allows UEs to proactively select optimal cells for high-speed data transmission, avoiding suboptimal connections and subsequent handovers, thereby improving data throughput from the outset.
2Productivity
If 5G UEs perform handovers to cells with better bandwidth availability, then data throughput can be improved, but unnecessary handovers increase network signaling overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing UEs with advance information about which cells support wider bandwidth dual connectivity through the Information Element in SIB. This allows UEs to proactively select optimal cells before connecting, avoiding unnecessary handovers that would otherwise be required to achieve high throughput, thereby reducing network signaling overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by providing UEs with explicit capability information about neighboring cells through the Information Element. This feedback mechanism enables UEs to make informed cell selection decisions without requiring trial-and-error handovers, reducing unnecessary signaling while ensuring UEs connect to cells that can deliver high data throughput.
3Loss of information
If base stations broadcast detailed capability information for all neighboring cells, then UE can make informed cell selection, but system information block size and complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the system information by introducing a dedicated Information Element within the SIB that specifically carries wider bandwidth dual connectivity capability indicators. This segmentation provides targeted capability information without broadcasting all possible cell parameters, reducing SIB complexity while ensuring UEs receive the specific visibility information needed for optimal cell selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential capability information (wider bandwidth dual connectivity support) into a separate Information Element within the SIB. This extraction approach provides UEs with the critical visibility into cell capabilities without including unnecessary detailed information, thereby maintaining SIB conciseness while resolving the information visibility problem.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, base stations broadcasting system information blocks that may include indications of dual connectivity capabilities. The indications of dual connectivity capabilities may include available frequency bands and/or bandwidths of nearby base stations. Mobile devices receiving the system information blocks may attach to a base station based on the indications of dual connectivity capabilities included in the system information blocks. Other embodiments are disclosed.