Multi-Connection Transmission Capability Reporting in 5G UEs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current multi-connection transmission technologies face challenges in reporting multi-connection transmission capabilities and preventing retransmission of data in 5G wireless communications, particularly in configuring appropriate bearers and avoiding retransmission of successfully received data.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves a method where user equipment (UE) reports its multi-connection transmission capabilities to the base station, allowing the base station to configure appropriate bearers and prevent retransmission by using RRC connection reconfiguration messages and PDCP status reports to confirm successful data delivery across multiple RLC entities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If data duplication is configured for split bearer to improve reliability, then data transmission reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple RLC entities and coordination overhead

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the data transmission path by introducing multiple RLC entities (first RLC entity and second RLC entity) that operate independently for different data streams. This segmentation allows parallel processing of data through multiple paths while maintaining clear separation of functions, thereby improving reliability without excessive complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The PDCP entity acts as an intermediary that coordinates between multiple RLC entities and the upper layers. It manages the duplication and routing of data packets, tracking which RLC entity has successfully delivered each packet. This intermediary role simplifies the coordination complexity by centralizing the control logic in the PDCP layer

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If multi-connection transmission is implemented to improve data transmission efficiency, then productivity is improved, but loss of information increases due to potential retransmission of successfully received data

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission efficiencyVSAvoidretransmission of successfully received data
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the PDCP entity receives acknowledgments from multiple RLC entities about successful data delivery. Based on this feedback, the PDCP entity determines whether retransmission is necessary, preventing unnecessary retransmissions of successfully received data while ensuring reliable delivery

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The PDCP entity performs preliminary tracking of which data packets have been successfully delivered through which RLC entity before initiating any retransmission. This preliminary action prevents the retransmission of already successfully delivered packets, avoiding information loss and unnecessary network traffic

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If bearer reconfiguration from split to non-split is performed to reduce complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of time increases due to retransmission of PDCP PDUs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidretransmission time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Before reconfiguring the bearer from split to non-split, the system performs preliminary identification of PDCP PDUs that were transmitted through the secondary RLC entity and have not been confirmed as successfully delivered. This preliminary action ensures that only necessary data is retransmitted after reconfiguration, minimizing retransmission time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional approach of blanket retransmission after bearer reconfiguration with a selective retransmission mechanism. Instead of retransmitting all PDCP PDUs, the system uses PDCP status reports to identify and retransmit only the specific packets that need retransmission, reducing the time loss associated with reconfiguration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3565367B1Method for reporting multi-connection transmission capability and ue
Publication Date: 2024.12.04 SHARP KK
  • EP3565367B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3565367B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3565367B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a method for reporting multi-connection transmission capability, a method for configuring multi-connection transmission modes, a method for preventing retransmission of data, and corresponding user equipment and a base station which support multi-connection transmission. The method for reporting a multi-connection transmission capability comprises: receiving, from a base station, a UE capability query message, the UE capability query message being used to request the UE to send a wireless access capability of the UE for accessing an access network; generating a UE capability information message in response to the received UE capability query message, the UE capability information message being used to indicate the wireless access capability of the UE for accessing the access network and comprising bearer types and/or transmission manners supported by the UE; and sending to the base station the UE capability information message.