Uplink Scheduling Reporting for Multi-Connectivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current uplink scheduling information reporting mechanisms fail to support multi-connectivity, including dual connectivity, especially when multiple serving cells are linked with non-ideal backhaul connections, requiring complex and independent distributed schedulers for each cell.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and system for uplink scheduling information reporting that includes configuration modules for receiving and transmitting buffer status report (BSR) trigger information to multiple eNBs, allowing UE to configure BSR trigger conditions for each cell, and determining data transmission amounts based on BSR reports, supporting both DRB splitting and non-splitting scenarios.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single centralized scheduler is used for all serving cells, then scheduling control is simplified, but it cannot support multi-connectivity with non-ideal backhaul connections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling control complexityVSAvoidmulti-connectivity support capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the centralized scheduler into multiple independent distributed schedulers, one at each serving cell. Each distributed scheduler independently handles scheduling decisions for its local cell, enabling multi-connectivity support with non-ideal backhaul while maintaining simplified control architecture at each node.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If independent distributed schedulers are deployed at each serving cell to support multi-connectivity, then multi-connectivity is supported, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-connectivity support capabilityVSAvoiddistributed scheduler complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs a universal distributed scheduler architecture that can be deployed at any serving cell with the same functional capabilities. Each distributed scheduler performs buffer status reporting, scheduling decision-making, and resource allocation using the same mechanisms, reducing overall system complexity through standardization and reusability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If buffer status report procedures are designed for single serving node, then the reporting mechanism is simple, but it cannot support multiple serving cells with non-ideal backhaul

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveBSR procedure complexityVSAvoidmulti-connectivity support capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the BSR procedure into cell-specific instances, where each serving cell has its own BSR trigger conditions, reporting mechanisms, and buffer status variables. This allows independent BSR operations at each cell while maintaining the overall simplicity of the original BSR design at each node.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If cell-specific BSR trigger conditions are configured for each serving cell, then multi-connectivity is supported, but the configuration and management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-connectivity support capabilityVSAvoidconfiguration management ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-configures standardized BSR trigger conditions and parameters at each serving cell before operation begins. Common configuration parameters are pre-defined and can be quickly activated or deactivated based on connectivity requirements, reducing the operational complexity of managing cell-specific configurations during runtime.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2995161B1Uplink scheduling information reporting apparatus and system supporting multi-connectivity
Publication Date: 2019.04.03 ALCATEL LUCENT SA
  • EP2995161B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2995161B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2995161B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

One objective of the present invention is to provide uplink scheduling information reporting apparatus and System supporting multi-connectivity. Herein, a UE connected to multiple eNBs, the UE receives trigger configuration information about buffer status report of a logical channel group that a corresponding radio bearer belongs to, and radio bearer configuration information and uplink resource configuration information respectively corresponding to each of the multiple eNBs, when the BSR trigger condition of at least one of the multiple eNBs is satisfied, transmit to a corresponding eNB the buffer status report of the logical channel group that its corresponding radio bearer belongs to, so as to support uplink scheduling report in multi-connectivity. The reporting mechanism provides the serving eNB with information about data amount that can be transmitted in UL buffer of a UE, so as to support multi-connectivity, and enables macro cell to provide a better coverage of the control plane data and enables small cell to provide larger capacity.