Unified Split Bearer Reconfiguration for LTE-NR Bearer Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current models face challenges in managing bearer type changes, particularly in Fifth Generation New Radio (5G NR) systems, including difficulties in merging MCG and SCG split bearers, identifying the need for PDCP and RLC re-establishment, and handling security configuration changes during UE mobility, especially in LTE-NR dual connectivity.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves unifying MCG and SCG split bearers into a single split bearer type, using a neutral PDCP entity not directly associated with MN or SN stacks, and employing separate PDCP configuration containers to manage bearer type changes, along with MAC reset avoidance techniques like LCID allocation and PDCP header toggling to ensure lossless data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If RRC connection re-establishment is performed when PSCell is released, then connection reliability is improved, but unnecessary RRC operations and signaling overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter being monitored from PSCell release event to beam failure detection event. By detecting beam failure through specific beam failure indicators and triggering RRC re-establishment only when beam failure occurs, the system avoids unnecessary RRC operations while maintaining connection reliability. This parameter change allows selective triggering based on actual communication quality rather than cell release status.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces beam failure detection as an intermediary mechanism between PSCell release and RRC re-establishment. Instead of directly triggering RRC re-establishment upon PSCell release, the system first detects beam failure through intermediate indicators (such as reference signal quality measurements), then decides whether RRC re-establishment is necessary. This intermediary layer filters out unnecessary re-establishment operations.
2Stability of the object's composition
If RRC connection re-establishment is triggered by PSCell release, then connection stability is improved, but signaling overhead and network load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the triggering parameter from PSCell release to beam failure detection. By monitoring beam-specific quality parameters (reference signal received power/quality) rather than cell-level release events, the system triggers RRC re-establishment only when actual communication quality degrades below acceptable thresholds, reducing unnecessary signaling overhead while maintaining connection stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by selectively triggering RRC re-establishment only when beam failure is detected, rather than triggering it for all PSCell release events. This partial triggering approach reduces the frequency of RRC operations and associated signaling overhead while maintaining adequate connection stability for cases that actually require re-establishment.
3Measurement precision
If beam failure detection is added for SCell, then communication quality is improved, but device complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the beam failure detection mechanism universal by applying the same detection logic across multiple cells (PCell and SCells). The detection mechanism uses standardized reference signal quality measurements that are already part of the system's existing measurement framework, allowing the same multi-functional measurement infrastructure to serve both cell types without requiring separate complex detection systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses existing reference signal measurements (CSI-RS or SSB) that are already being transmitted and measured for other purposes (channel quality estimation, beam management). By reusing these existing signals for beam failure detection, the system avoids adding separate dedicated detection signals or mechanisms, thereby reducing the increase in device complexity while improving measurement precision.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An apparatus of an evolved Node B or a Fifth Generation Node B comprises one or more baseband processors to generate an RRCConnectionReconfiguration message to include an information element (IE) to configure a user equipment (UE) to receive data from a Long-Term Evolution node and from a New Radio node in a unified split bearer configuration and encode data to be transmitted to the UE via a master cell group bearer, a secondary cell group bearer, or a unified split bearer. The baseband processors further are to encode an IE of an RRCReconfiguration message to configure a data radio bearer as a Packet Data Convergence Protocol and higher layers configuration coupled with one or more logical channels of radio link control and below, and to configure a change between a single connectivity bearer to multi-connectivity bearer by configuring or releasing one or more of the logical channels.