Dual-Connectivity Sidelink Configuration for Cross-Node Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network control of sidelink configuration in dual connectivity scenarios is complicated, particularly when wireless devices served by different network nodes risk ending up with incompatible configurations, leading to configuration failures and service latency.
Innovation Solution
Implement methods and apparatuses to centrally control or coordinate sidelink configurations from a common network node, or enable decentralized coordination between network nodes, ensuring consistency or compatibility of sidelink configurations among wireless devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wireless devices served by different network nodes are configured with sidelink configurations independently, then each device can have optimized configuration for its serving node, but configuration incompatibility occurs between devices leading to configuration failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a coordinating network node that acts as an intermediary to manage and coordinate sidelink configurations across multiple serving nodes. This mediator ensures configuration compatibility between devices served by different nodes while maintaining the benefits of distributed configuration management.
Solution Approach 2:
The coordinating network node performs multiple functions including receiving sidelink configuration requests, determining appropriate configurations, coordinating with multiple serving nodes, and managing configuration updates. This multi-functional approach consolidates complexity into a single entity while maintaining system flexibility.
2Stability of the object's composition
If centralized control of sidelink configuration is implemented from a single network node, then configuration consistency is improved, but control complexity and signaling overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the configuration management function by separating the coordinating network node from the serving nodes. The coordinating node handles high-level configuration decisions and consistency management, while serving nodes handle local configuration execution and device management, dividing complexity across multiple specialized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimensional layer in the control architecture by adding a coordinating network node that operates at a different level than traditional serving nodes. This additional dimension enables centralized coordination without completely centralizing control, allowing both consistency and distributed management.
3Reliability
If sidelink configuration coordination between network nodes is implemented, then configuration compatibility is improved, but signaling overhead and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coordinating network node performs preliminary configuration determination and coordination before actual sidelink communication begins. By pre-establishing compatible configurations and obtaining necessary approvals in advance, the system avoids time-consuming coordination during active communication sessions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the coordinating network node receives configuration status information from serving nodes and devices, and adjusts configurations accordingly. This feedback loop enables efficient coordination by only making necessary configuration changes rather than exhaustive re-coordination.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless device (12A) receives a sidelink configuration from each of multiple network nodes (20A, 20B) serving the wireless device (12A). The wireless device (12A) selects, from the received sidelink configurations, a sidelink configuration (16A) that is consistent or compatible with a sidelink configuration (16B) of another wireless device (12B) with which the wireless device (12A) is to communicate over a sidelink. The wireless device (12A) in some embodiments transmits, to each of one or more of the network nodes (20A, 20B) serving the wireless device (12A), an indication of the selected sidelink configuration (16A).