UE Conditional Secondary Node Addition for Faster Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing MN/SN configuration logic in wireless communication networks results in link failures due to UEs being forced to wait for SN connections, leading to substantial wait times and radio link failures.
Innovation Solution
The UE is provided with the flexibility to decide whether to add or add in a deactivated state a candidate SN based on reference signal quality and network-defined criteria, informing the network of its decision through explicit signaling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UE is forced to wait for SN connections according to existing configuration logic, then the network maintains centralized control over SN addition, but the UE experiences substantial wait times and radio link failures
Solution Approach 1:
The network pre-configures the UE with one or more candidate SNs and their associated configurations before the UE actually needs to connect to an SN. This preliminary preparation allows the UE to immediately activate a pre-selected candidate SN when needed, rather than waiting for network-initiated connection procedures, thereby reducing wait time and preventing radio link failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The UE is empowered to autonomously select and activate a candidate SN from the pre-configured list based on its own measurements and criteria, without requiring real-time network intervention. This self-service capability enables the UE to proactively manage SN connections, minimizing delay and improving reliability by avoiding forced waiting periods.
2Ease of operation
If the network provides centralized control over SN addition, then network management is simplified, but the UE cannot proactively manage SN additions leading to increased wait times
Solution Approach 1:
The SN addition process is segmented into two distinct phases: (1) Network-controlled pre-configuration phase where the network provides candidate SN lists and configurations, and (2) UE-autonomous activation phase where the UE independently selects and activates candidates. This segmentation allows the network to maintain simplified management of the candidate pool while enabling fast UE-initiated activation, resolving the contradiction between management simplicity and connection speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The network performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring candidate SNs and their parameters before the UE needs to establish connections. This advance preparation reduces the complexity of real-time network management during actual connection events while enabling rapid UE-initiated connections, as the heavy lifting of SN selection and configuration preparation has already been done.
3Reliability
If the UE waits for network-initiated SN addition, then centralized network control is maintained, but link failures occur due to substantial wait times
Solution Approach 1:
The UE autonomously monitors the quality of pre-configured candidate SNs and independently decides when to activate them based on its own measurements and criteria. This self-service approach eliminates the delay associated with waiting for network-initiated addition commands, allowing the UE to immediately switch to a suitable candidate SN, thereby improving radio link stability and reducing connection establishment duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The network performs preliminary configuration of multiple candidate SNs with all necessary parameters before the UE needs to establish connections. This advance preparation ensures that when the UE needs to connect, it can immediately activate a pre-vetted candidate without waiting for network commands, thus preventing radio link failures and reducing connection establishment time.
Data Source
AI summary
master nodes (MNs) and one or more candidate secondary nodes (SNS). The UE is configured to measure a reference signal of the one or more candidate SNs, determine whether to add a first one of the candidate SNs as an SN for the UE based on at least the reference signal measurement of the first one of the candidate SNs and receive, from a network, a configuration indicating the UE has an option to not add the one or more SNs as the SN for the UE.