UE Secondary Node Switching for Mobile Network Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The data connection of a UE in a mobile network can be reduced in bandwidth or Quality of Service (QoS) if the Secondary Node (SN) is unable to forward data to servers in the cloud, due to periodic switch-off periods for energy savings, leading to communication mismatches and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the UE, Master Node (MN), and SN to manage communication-on and switch-on/off periods, allowing the UE to request extensions or switch to new SNs based on mismatch detection, using connection information and measurement reports to optimize data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the SN is switched off during communication-on time period to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but data connection reliability deteriorates due to communication mismatches
Solution Approach 1:
The UE receives advance notification of the SN's upcoming switch-off period through a switch-off message. Before the switch-off occurs, the UE can prepare alternative connection strategies, such as extending the communication-on period or selecting a different SN, thereby preventing connection failures while allowing the SN to enter energy-saving mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the communication-on time period based on real-time conditions. When a mismatch is detected between the UE's communication schedule and the SN's switch-off timing, the system extends the communication-on period or reconfigures the connection to ensure continuous data transfer despite the SN's periodic power-off cycles.
2Reliability
If the communication-on time period is extended to avoid SN switch-off, then data connection reliability is improved, but time management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the UE monitors the SN's operational status and receives switch-off messages in advance. Based on this feedback, the UE automatically adjusts its communication timing by extending the communication-on period or selecting alternative SNs, eliminating the need for complex manual time management while ensuring connection reliability.
3Productivity
If the UE switches to a new SN to avoid communication disruption, then data transfer continuity is improved, but connection establishment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The MN maintains a pre-configured list of alternative SNs before the communication disruption occurs. When a mismatch is detected, the MN can quickly establish a new connection with a pre-selected alternative SN, avoiding the complexity of real-time SN selection and ensuring continuous data transfer with minimal interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The MN serves as an intermediary that coordinates between the UE and multiple SNs. It manages the connection establishment process by receiving switch-off notifications, determining mismatches, and orchestrating the transition to alternative SNs, thereby simplifying the overall connection management complexity for the UE.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a User Equipment (UE) having a connection with a Master Node (MN) and a Secondary Node (SN). The SN notifies the UE of an upcoming switched-off period, in which it will not be available for communication with the UE. If the UE needs to communicate with a SN during that period, it will try to establish a new connection with a new SN. To do so, it will send information about its communication-on period, in which it needs to communicate with a SN, and information about the switch-off period to its MN. The MN will determine one or more possible new SNs on the basis of the information about the communication-on period of the UE and information about the switch-on periods of other SNs. The MN send information about possible new SNs to the UE, which selects one of those for establishing a new connection.