Signaling Radio Bearer Segmentation for Air Interface Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

In communications systems, dynamically configuring radio resources of the air interface connection between user equipment (UE) and data base stations is challenging, especially when radio channels change, leading to inefficiencies and service interruptions due to increased handover rates and resource consumption.

Innovation Solution

A communications system with a first signaling radio bearer that allows the UE to configure radio resources between the UE and the data base station in a timely and effective manner by using a separate signaling radio bearer for control signaling interaction, enabling dynamic adjustment of air interface connections according to changes in the radio channel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the UE is attached to a macro eNB with a large coverage area, then service interruption and throughput reduction caused by frequent handovers are avoided, but consumption of transmit power and air interface resources is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice continuityVSAvoidtransmit power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the air interface connection into separate control plane and user plane connections. The control plane connection remains with the macro eNB for reliable signaling, while the user plane connection can be dynamically adjusted to nearer pico eNBs for efficient data transmission, resolving the contradiction between service continuity and power consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a dual-connectivity architecture where the UE simultaneously connects to both macro eNB and pico eNB. The macro eNB acts as an intermediary that coordinates control signaling while allowing data transmission through the nearer pico eNB, reducing transmit power requirements while maintaining service continuity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the UE is attached to a nearer pico eNB, then consumption of air interface resources is decreased, but the number of handover times and handover failure rate are increased, causing service interruption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair interface resource efficiencyVSAvoidservice continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent separates control plane signaling (handled by macro eNB) from user plane data transmission (handled by pico eNB). This segmentation allows the UE to maintain stable control connections while efficiently utilizing nearer pico eNBs for data transmission, avoiding handover-related service interruptions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables dynamic selection of user plane connections to nearer pico eNBs while maintaining static control plane connections with macro eNBs. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize air interface resource usage by connecting to nearer nodes without sacrificing service continuity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of time

If a separate first signaling radio bearer is established for control signaling interaction between UE and data base station, then delays in configuring air interface connections are reduced, but device complexity is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration delayVSAvoidsignaling bearer structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes a separate first signaling radio bearer (SRB0 or SRB1) dedicated to control signaling interaction between UE and data base station, distinct from the second signaling radio bearer (SRB1 or SRB2) used by another base station. This segmentation enables parallel processing of control signaling, reducing configuration delays despite increased signaling bearer structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the separate first signaling radio bearer as an intermediary channel that allows the data base station to directly configure air interface connections with the UE without waiting for the other base station's signaling procedures, thereby reducing configuration delays

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3691399B1Communications system, base station, user equipment, and signaling transmission method
Publication Date: 2023.12.20 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3691399B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2A
  • EP3691399B1 patent drawingFigure 2B
  • EP3691399B1 patent drawingFigure 2C

AI summary

The present invention provides a communications system, a base station, a user equipment, and a signaling transmission method. The system includes: a first base station and a second base station. User data transmission exists between the first base station and a UE; the first base station performs control signaling interaction with the UE by using a first signaling radio bearer; and the second base station performs control signaling interaction with the UE by using an SRB0, an SRB1, or an SRB2, where the first signaling radio bearer is different from the SRB0, the SRB1, and the SRB2. The technical solutions of the present invention can solve a problem of configuring a radio resource of an air interface connection between an enhancement-layer base station and a UE.