Single Measurement Gap Coordination for Multi-RAT Dual Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-radio access technology dual connectivity scenarios, existing communication systems face challenges in coordinating measurement gaps between master and secondary nodes, leading to measurement latency and performance degradation due to the need for independent configuration of measurements by each node, which can result in data interruption and handover failures.
Innovation Solution
An inter-node gap coordination procedure is introduced, allowing network nodes to enquire about and potentially share a single gap pattern for measurements, enabling the user equipment to use either the existing gap pattern or configure a new one based on response from the gap owner node, ensuring efficient measurement performance without data interruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If independent gap patterns are configured for master node and secondary node measurements, then measurement coverage is improved, but measurement latency increases and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the gap pattern configurations of master node and secondary node into a single shared gap pattern. The master node determines an existing gap pattern and enquires whether it can be used for new measurements, allowing both nodes to coordinate measurements within the same gap pattern rather than maintaining separate patterns, thereby reducing measurement latency while preserving coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The gap pattern is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously - it is used for both master node measurements and secondary node measurements. The single gap pattern is configured to accommodate measurement requirements of both nodes, making it a universal resource that eliminates the need for separate gap configurations.
2Measurement precision
If independent gap patterns are configured for master node and secondary node measurements, then measurement coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the gap pattern management functionality into a single configuration process. Instead of independently configuring gap patterns for master and secondary nodes, the system uses a unified gap pattern determined by the master node and coordinated with the secondary node, significantly reducing configuration complexity and management overhead.
3Device complexity
If a single gap pattern is used for all measurements, then system complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The gap pattern is made dynamic and adaptable to different measurement requirements. The master node determines an existing gap pattern and enquires whether it can accommodate new measurements, allowing the system to flexibly adjust the use of the single gap pattern based on current measurement needs while maintaining overall simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
Various communication systems may benefit from appropriate sharing of resources amongst multiple nodes. For example, certain wireless communication systems may benefit from using a single measurement gap for master node and secondary node measurements in a multi-radio-access-technology dual connectivity scenario, or similar scenarios. A method can include determining, by a first network node, that a gap pattern is existing in a second network node. The method can also include enquiring, by the first network node to the second network node, whether the gap pattern can be used for a new measurement. The method can further include configuring, by the first network node, a user equipment to perform the new measurement in the gap pattern, based on a response from the second network node to the enquiring.