Split Data Threshold Adjustments in Wireless Wide Area Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless communication systems face challenges in managing and optimizing finite wireless channel resources due to signal attenuation and blocking in complex environments, which undermines established channel measuring and reporting mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for user equipment (UE) to set a device-configured split data threshold, monitoring data buffer levels, and triggering scheduling requests across multiple communication links based on buffer thresholds and latency to optimize the use of split data radio bearers (DRBs).

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a network-configured split data threshold is used for managing data transmission, then resource allocation can be simplified, but the system cannot adapt to dynamic buffer conditions and signal attenuation variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to buffer conditionsVSAvoidthreshold management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic threshold adjustment by allowing the UE to modify the split data threshold based on real-time buffer conditions and signal quality measurements. The threshold is no longer static but adapts to changing network conditions, enabling the system to respond to buffer overflow risks and signal attenuation dynamically while maintaining manageable complexity through automated adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the UE continuously monitors buffer conditions, signal quality, and transmission outcomes, then uses this information to adjust the split data threshold. This closed-loop feedback system enables adaptive threshold management that responds to actual network conditions, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity by making the system intelligent rather than static.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If channel measuring and reporting mechanisms are used to manage wireless resources, then resource optimization is enabled, but these mechanisms fail in complex environments with signal attenuation and blocking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource optimization efficiencyVSAvoidchannel measurement reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the measurement parameters from traditional channel quality indicators to buffer condition-based metrics and signal attenuation patterns. By measuring and reporting on different parameters that are more robust to environmental variations, the system maintains reliable resource management in complex environments while preserving optimization efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of signal attenuation and blocking into beneficial information by using these conditions as triggers for threshold adjustment and resource reallocation. Instead of treating signal degradation as a failure condition, the system uses it as feedback to optimize resource allocation, turning environmental challenges into opportunities for improved performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Productivity

If split data radio bearers are established with fixed thresholds, then setup complexity is reduced, but resource utilization efficiency decreases due to inability to respond to buffer conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission efficiencyVSAvoidthreshold adjustment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service mechanisms where the UE autonomously monitors its own buffer conditions, evaluates signal quality, and adjusts the split data threshold without requiring complex network coordination. This self-managing approach improves transmission efficiency by responding instantly to local conditions while keeping the overall system complexity manageable through distributed intelligence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring adjustment rules and thresholds that the UE can apply automatically based on predefined conditions. This prepares the system in advance with decision frameworks that enable efficient threshold adaptation without requiring complex real-time calculations, thus improving productivity while controlling complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12150130B2Split data threshold adjustments in a wireless wide area network (WWAN)

Publication Date: 2024.11.19 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for configuring a device-configured split data threshold for utilizing split data radio bearers (DRBs). A method that may be performed at a user equipment (UE) includes setting a device-configured split data threshold to a value that is less than or equal to a network-configured split data threshold value in response to the network-configured split data threshold value being greater than a first buffer threshold value associated with a data buffer of the UE, monitoring an amount of data in the data buffer, and triggering a first scheduling request (SR) associated with a first communication link and a second SR associated with a second communication link in response to the amount of data in the data buffer being greater than the device-configured split data threshold value.