Split SRB Path Switching for SCG Failure in Dual Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communications, dual connectivity scenarios face challenges in handling failures on the secondary cell group (SCG) leg, leading to potential service interruptions and prolonged RRC re-establishment times, especially in ultra-reliable and low-latency communications.
Innovation Solution
Configuring wireless terminals to use a split signaling radio bearer (SRB) over both the master cell group (MCG) and SCG radio interfaces, allowing for immediate path switching to the MCG in case of SCG failure, thereby avoiding RRC re-establishment and minimizing service disruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the wireless terminal uses only the SCG for the split SRB to optimize resource utilization, then the SCG resources are efficiently utilized, but the system reliability deteriorates when SCG failure occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The signaling radio bearer is segmented into two independent paths: MCG path and SCG path. The terminal can selectively use either path or both paths simultaneously, allowing resource optimization while maintaining redundancy for reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes the configuration parameter of the split SRB, allowing the terminal to switch between using only MCG, only SCG, or both MCG and SCG simultaneously, depending on channel conditions and reliability requirements.
2Reliability
If the terminal switches to MCG path upon SCG failure, then service continuity is maintained, but the complexity of path management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The split SRB configuration is made dynamic, allowing the terminal to adaptively switch between different path configurations (MCG only, SCG only, or both) based on real-time channel conditions and failure states, simplifying path management through automated adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal pre-configures both MCG and SCG paths for the split SRB before failure occurs, so that when SCG failure is detected, the switch to MCG path can occur immediately without complex real-time decision-making, reducing management complexity.
3Reliability
If the terminal performs RRC re-establishment upon SCG failure, then the connection is re-established, but the service interruption time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal maintains pre-configured MCG and SCG paths for the split SRB, so that upon SCG failure, it can immediately switch to the pre-prepared MCG path without performing time-consuming RRC re-establishment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The MCG path acts as an intermediary backup path that can immediately take over signaling transmission when SCG fails, avoiding the need for complete RRC re-establishment and reducing service interruption time.
Data Source
AI summary
According to a first exemplary embodiment, a wireless terminal may provide DC communication through an MN using an MCG over a first radio interface between the wireless terminal and the MN and through a SN using a SCG over a second radio interface between the wireless terminal and the SN. A split SRB may be configured for the wireless terminal using DC through the MCG with the MN and through the SCG with the SN and the wireless terminal may be configured to use the SCG for the split SRB without using the MCG for the split SRB. Responsive to detecting failure of the SCG while configured to use the SCG for the split SRB without using the MCG for the split SRB, an SCG failure information message regarding failure of the SCG may be transmitted to the master node using the MCG.