UE-Assisted Termination Selection for Dual-Connectivity Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communications systems, user equipment (UE) operating in dual connectivity mode experiences frequent switching of termination points between master and secondary cells due to varying cell coverage, leading to data loss, increased bandwidth consumption, and power usage without adequate UE assistance information.
Innovation Solution
The UE assists in termination selection and secondary cell release by determining a preference for the termination point between the core network and the RAN, transmitting this preference to the base station, which then configures the appropriate termination point based on UE-determined parameters such as cell coverage area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UE operates in dual connectivity mode with frequent switching between master and secondary cells, then the network coverage and connectivity are improved, but the power consumption and bandwidth usage increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The UE performs preliminary assessment of cell coverage areas and quality parameters before switching termination points. The network is provided with advance information about suitable target cells, allowing proactive preparation and reducing the frequency of reactive switching operations that consume power.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the UE continuously monitors cell quality parameters and provides measurements to the network. The network uses this feedback to make informed decisions about termination point switching, optimizing connectivity while avoiding unnecessary switches that would increase power consumption.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the termination point switches frequently between master and secondary cells, then the network adapts to varying cell coverage, but data loss occurs and connection stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary evaluation of cell coverage areas and signal quality before executing termination point switching. By assessing coverage overlap and quality metrics in advance, the network can plan switches that maintain connection stability while achieving necessary adaptation to varying coverage conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements buffering and handover preparation mechanisms that cushion against abrupt termination point changes. Data is buffered during transition periods and handover parameters are prepared in advance, preventing data loss and maintaining connection stability during necessary adaptation events.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the UE provides assistance information for termination selection, then the termination point switching frequency is reduced and power consumption decreases, but the device complexity and signaling overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the most critical assistance information elements from the UE, such as cell coverage area measurements and quality parameters. By selecting and transmitting only essential data rather than complete measurement sets, the signaling overhead is reduced while still enabling effective termination point selection that lowers power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters being reported by the UE from comprehensive measurements to specific, optimized metrics such as coverage area indicators and quality thresholds. This parameter optimization reduces the complexity of assistance information while maintaining the ability to make informed termination selection decisions that save power.
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AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. In a wireless communications system, a user equipment (UE) may determine a preference of the UE for a termination point between a core network and a radio access network (RAN), the core network and the RAN supporting communications for the UE via at least one or a first cell and a second cell each associated with a multi-connectivity mode of the UE. The UE may transmit, to a base station, an indication of the preference of the UE for the termination point. In some cases, the base station may determine the termination point based on receiving the indication of the preference of the UE, and the base station may transmit a message indicating a configuration for the multi-connectivity mode to the UE, the configuration indicating the determined termination point.