Soft Buffer Partitioning in LTE-NR Dual Connectivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communications, there is a need to efficiently handle soft buffer size sharing or partitioning between Long-Term Evolution (LTE) and New Radio (NR) systems when dual connectivity is configured, as existing technologies lack effective mechanisms for managing this aspect.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves sharing the soft buffer size between LTE and NR systems, with the UE determining its capabilities for each system and sharing the total soft buffer size based on maximum Transport Block Sizes (TBS) per Transmission Time Interval (TTI) and the number of carriers used, allowing for semi-static or dynamic partitioning to optimize resource allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If soft buffer size is shared between LTE and NR systems in dual connectivity, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but buffer management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidbuffer management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The soft buffer is segmented into multiple partitions, with different portions allocated to LTE and NR systems based on their respective maximum TBS values. This segmentation allows independent management of buffer resources for each system while maintaining overall efficiency, resolving the contradiction between resource utilization and management complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The buffer partitioning scheme is made dynamic, allowing the UE to adjust the soft buffer size allocation between LTE and NR based on changing channel conditions, traffic requirements, and system configurations. This dynamic adjustment optimizes resource utilization while the standardized adjustment rules keep management complexity可控.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Quantity of substance

If soft buffer size is partitioned based on maximum TBS per TTI, then data transmission capacity is improved, but calculation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission capacityVSAvoidcalculation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The maximum TBS values for both LTE and NR systems are determined in advance through capability reporting and network configuration, before actual data transmission begins. This preliminary determination simplifies real-time buffer allocation by pre-establishing the partitioning basis, reducing both calculation complexity and ensuring adequate transmission capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If semi-static partitioning is used for soft buffer size, then resource allocation efficiency is improved, but adaptability to channel changes decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation efficiencyVSAvoidadaptability to channel changes
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a semi-static partitioning scheme where the buffer partitioning configuration is updated periodically or upon significant channel condition changes, rather than being completely static. This allows the system to maintain efficient resource allocation through established procedures while adapting to changing channel conditions, balancing both requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3643096B1Method and apparatus for handling soft buffer size with dual connectivity in wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2022.04.20 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3643096B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3643096B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3643096B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and apparatus for handling a soft buffer size in a wireless communication system is provided. It is assumed that a user equipment (UE) is connected to both a long-term evolution (LTE) system and a new radio access technology (NR) system in dual connectivity. The UE determines a first UE capability for the LTE system and a second UE capability for the NR system, determines a total soft buffer size based on the first UE capability and the second UE capability, and shares the total soft buffer size between the LTE system and the NR system based on at least one of a maximum transport block size (TBS) per transmission time interval (TTI) and a number of carriers used in the NR system.