Uplink Buffer Threshold Control for Dual Connectivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

In dual connectivity LTE-Advanced systems, improper setting of data amount ratios for uplink data distribution across component carriers can lead to degraded communication quality, resulting in accumulated data in transmission buffers and insufficient throughput.

Innovation Solution

User equipment receives splitting trigger information with a threshold for data amount stored in the transmission buffer, selecting the base station for uplink data transmission based on whether the data amount is below or above this threshold, allowing efficient distribution of uplink data between multiple base stations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a semi-static data amount ratio is used for distributing uplink data across component carriers, then the device complexity is reduced, but the uplink throughput deteriorates when communication quality degrades

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata distribution control complexityVSAvoiduplink throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a semi-static data amount ratio to a dynamic threshold-based mechanism. The base station configures thresholds that are adjusted based on communication quality conditions, allowing the data distribution strategy to adapt in real-time to changing channel conditions, thereby maintaining high uplink throughput while managing device complexity through automated threshold-based control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If data is distributed to multiple base stations, then the uplink throughput is improved, but the device complexity increases due to buffer management and transmission control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuplink throughputVSAvoidbuffer management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the base station monitors communication quality and buffer status, then provides feedback through threshold configurations. This feedback loop enables automated buffer management and transmission control, allowing the user equipment to distribute data across multiple base stations efficiently without manual intervention, thus improving uplink throughput while managing complexity through closed-loop control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies self-service by enabling the user equipment to autonomously determine data distribution decisions based on configured thresholds and current buffer status. The device automatically selects which base station to transmit to without requiring complex centralized control for each transmission decision, thereby improving throughput while reducing the operational complexity of buffer management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If the data amount ratio is not properly set, then the device complexity remains low, but the communication quality deteriorates leading to buffer accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata distribution control complexityVSAvoidcommunication quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by introducing configurable thresholds that dynamically adjust the data distribution strategy. Instead of using fixed or manually set ratios, the system changes the control parameter from a static ratio to dynamic thresholds that adapt to communication quality conditions, preventing buffer accumulation and maintaining reliable communication while keeping device complexity manageable through automated parameter adjustment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3122114B1User equipment and uplink data transmission method
Publication Date: 2022.01.12 NTT DOCOMO INC
  • EP3122114B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3122114B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3122114B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Techniques for transmitting uplink data in dual connectivity efficiently are disclosed. One aspect of the present invention relates to user equipment having a dual connectivity function to communicate with multiple base stations simultaneously, comprising: a transmission buffer configured to store uplink data for transmission; a buffer status management unit configured to manage a data amount stored in the transmission buffer; and a transmission control unit configured to receive splitting trigger information indicative of a threshold for the data amount stored in the transmission buffer and a first base station to transmit the uplink data stored in the transmission buffer when the stored data amount is smaller than or equal to the threshold and select a base station to transmit the uplink data stored in the transmission buffer from the multiple base stations depending on whether the data amount stored in the transmission buffer is smaller than or equal to the threshold.