Small Cell Dual Connectivity Control User Plane Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems, such as E-UTRAN, face challenges in supporting dual connectivity between macro and small cell layers, particularly in managing control and user planes, mobility, and minimizing core network impacts and battery consumption, especially with non-ideal backhaul conditions.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of small cell enhancements, including dual connectivity support, where the control plane is handled by the macro cell and the user plane by the small cell, with a new interface specified between macro and small cell eNBs, allowing for efficient resource management and measurement gap configurations to optimize communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If dual connectivity is implemented between macro and small cell layers, then data throughput is improved, but device complexity and battery consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control plane and user plane functions across different cell types. The macro cell handles control plane functions (RRC connection, mobility management) while small cells handle user plane data traffic. This segmentation allows the UE to maintain connections with multiple cells simultaneously, improving throughput without requiring the entire system to handle all functions at maximum complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary interface (X2 interface) between macro eNB and small cell eNB that facilitates coordinated communication. This intermediary manages the complexity of dual connectivity by providing standardized protocols for information exchange, measurement reporting, and resource coordination, reducing the burden on UE device complexity.
2Productivity
If dual connectivity with non-ideal backhaul is implemented, then data throughput is improved, but latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring measurement gap patterns and pre-establishing measurement configurations before actual measurements are needed. The network pre-configures the UE with measurement parameters and gap patterns, allowing measurements to be performed without waiting for dynamic requests, thereby reducing latency in non-ideal backhaul conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic measurement gap configurations where the UE periodically suspends data transmission to perform measurements on small cells. These periodic gaps are optimized to balance measurement accuracy with throughput maintenance, allowing the system to adapt to non-ideal backhaul conditions while minimizing overall latency impact.
3Measurement precision
If measurement gap configurations are optimized for small cell measurements, then measurement precision is improved, but data throughput during measurement periods decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic measurement gap configurations where the gap patterns and durations are adaptively adjusted based on network conditions, UE capabilities, and small cell deployment scenarios. The system can dynamically switch between different measurement gap patterns (e.g., pattern 0, pattern 1) and adjust gap lengths to optimize the trade-off between measurement precision and throughput for different operational scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes multiple parameters including measurement gap duration, gap repetition period, and gap offset values to optimize both measurement precision and throughput. By adjusting these parameters based on specific deployment scenarios (e.g., TDD-FDD combinations, different backhaul conditions), the system achieves adequate measurement accuracy while minimizing throughput impact.
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AI summary
A method and apparatus for implementing small cell enhancements in a wireless communication system are disclosed. The method includes a first eNB (evolved Node B) controlling a first cell, wherein the first cell is serving a UE (User Equipment). The method further includes the first eNB configuring a second cell to serve the UE, wherein the second cell is controlled by a second eNB. The method also includes the first eNB allocating a measurement gap configuration to the UE. In addition, the method includes the first eNB sending the measurement gap configuration to the second eNB.