UE Configuration Reuse for Faster Dual-Connectivity Reconnection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The transition of user equipment (UE) from an idle or inactive state to a connected state in dual connectivity scenarios involves significant delays due to measurement operations across multiple frequency layers, leading to increased latency and resource consumption, and existing configuration methods may result in misconfigurations or sub-optimal performance.

Innovation Solution

A network apparatus receives first and second connection metrics from the UE during different states, determines a similarity threshold, and chooses between a first or second configuration based on these metrics to expedite the transition and optimize resource usage, potentially using machine learning for enhanced decision-making.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the UE performs measurement operations across multiple frequency layers during transition to connected state, then the configuration accuracy is improved, but the transition delay increases significantly (at least 640 milliseconds)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection metrics measurement accuracyVSAvoidtransition delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The network apparatus stores configuration information and connection metrics from previous connected states in advance. When the UE transitions back to connected state, the network can directly retrieve and apply the stored configuration without requiring new measurements, thus eliminating the 640ms measurement delay while maintaining configuration accuracy through the use of previously collected data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the network generates a new UE serving cell configuration based on current measurements, then the configuration optimality is improved, but the resource consumption and transition time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration optimalityVSAvoidtransition speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of creating new configuration from scratch through measurements, the network copies the previously stored UE serving cell configuration and connection metrics. This copying approach maintains configuration optimality by reusing proven working configurations while dramatically reducing transition time and resource consumption associated with new measurements and generation processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The network discards the conventional approach of performing new measurements during each transition and recovers/reuses the previously stored configuration information and connection metrics. This recovery of historical data eliminates redundant measurement operations and accelerates the transition process while maintaining configuration quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Measurement precision

If the UE performs comprehensive measurement operations including CQI, RSRP, and RSRQ across all frequency layers, then the connection quality assessment is improved, but the processing complexity and time required increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection quality assessment accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement operation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network apparatus performs and stores the comprehensive measurement results (CQI, RSRP, RSRQ) in advance during previous connected states. When transition occurs, the network retrieves these pre-computed metrics without requiring the UE to perform complex measurements again, thus reducing device complexity and processing time while maintaining assessment accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3820241B1User equipment configuration
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP3820241B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3820241B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3820241B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A network apparatus may include a memory and processing circuitry configured to receive first connection metrics of a connection with a user equipment that is using a first configuration during a first connected state; receive second connection metrics of the connection with the user equipment during a transition to a second connected state; choose a selected configuration as (i) the first configuration or (ii) a second configuration for the second connection state based on the first connection metrics and the second connection metrics; and send the selected configuration to the user equipment.