Terminal RRC Message Embedding for EN-DC Secondary Node Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the context of 5G radio communication systems, specifically in E-UTRA-NR Dual Connectivity (EN-DC), it is challenging for terminals to directly transmit NR radio resource control layer messages, such as RRC Reconfiguration Complete, to the master node (eNB), and for the master node to determine the correct target secondary node for transmitting SgNB Reconfiguration Complete, leading to difficulties in efficiently adding or changing secondary cells.
Innovation Solution
The terminal includes a transmission/reception unit that embeds RRC Reconfiguration Complete messages within LTE ULInformationTransferMRDC or new RRC messages, including identification information like cell IDs or gNB IDs, allowing the network to accurately determine the target secondary node for conditional PSCell addition or change procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the terminal directly transmits NR RRC message (RRC Reconfiguration Complete) to the master node in EN-DC, then the message transmission should be straightforward, but the terminal cannot determine the correct transmission path and the master node cannot identify the target secondary node
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary message (ULInformationTransferMRDC or new RRC message) that carries both the RRC Reconfiguration Complete and the target secondary node identification information. This intermediary message bridges the communication gap between the terminal and the master node, enabling the master node to correctly identify and forward the message to the appropriate target secondary node.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent embeds the RRC Reconfiguration Complete message within another message structure (ULInformationTransferMRDC or new RRC message). This nested structure allows the inner message to be carried within the outer message, which also contains the necessary routing information for the master node to identify the target secondary node.
2Reliability
If the master node receives RRC Reconfiguration Complete from the terminal, then the reconfiguration completion is confirmed, but the master node cannot determine to which target secondary node the SgNB Reconfiguration Complete should be transmitted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent includes the target secondary node identification information (cell ID or gNB ID) in advance within the message that carries the RRC Reconfiguration Complete. This preliminary inclusion of routing information allows the master node to immediately determine the correct target secondary node without requiring additional complex processing or lookup procedures.
3Productivity
If a simplified conditional PSCell addition/change procedure is implemented, then the procedure efficiency should improve, but the inability to transmit NR RRC messages directly to the master node creates operational difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the intermediary message (ULInformationTransferMRDC or new RRC message) to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it carries the RRC Reconfiguration Complete, includes the target secondary node identification information, and provides routing guidance for the master node. This multi-functional message structure maintains the simplified procedure while resolving the transmission difficulties.
Data Source
AI summary
The UE transmits and receives a message of the radio resource control layer. The UE transmits dual connectivity information including a radio resource control layer reconfiguration message to the network in a secondary cell addition or modification procedure.