Overlaid Virtual Cell for Dual Connectivity in Wireless Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in supporting dual connectivity with reduced complexity and load, particularly in managing control information and mobility across small cells, especially in unlicensed frequency bands.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a user equipment (UE) that supports dual connectivity by forming an overlaid virtual cell through collaboration between small cells, using primary synchronization signals (PSS), secondary synchronization signals (SSS), or cell-specific common reference signals (CRS) for synchronization, allowing for efficient spectral usage and minimized handover frequency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional dual connectivity is implemented with multiple small cells, then connectivity and coverage are improved, but system complexity and processing load increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple small cells are merged to form a virtual cell that operates as a single logical entity. The virtual cell combines the resources of multiple physical cells (e.g., Cell 1, Cell 2, Cell 3) while presenting a unified identity to user equipment, thereby maintaining connectivity reliability while reducing the complexity of managing multiple independent cells.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual cell structure enables a single logical cell to perform multiple functions that would traditionally require separate physical cells. It can serve multiple user equipment devices simultaneously, provide coverage across multiple geographic areas, and offer diverse transmission paths while maintaining a single cell identity, thus reducing overall system complexity.
2Productivity
If multiple small cells operate independently, then coverage and capacity are improved, but control information management becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The control information from multiple physical cells is merged and transmitted through a single virtual cell. Instead of user equipment needing to manage separate control channels from multiple small cells, the virtual cell consolidates control information transmission, simplifying the management process while maintaining the capacity benefits of multiple physical cells.
3Adaptability or versatility
If frequent handovers between small cells occur, then mobility and connectivity are maintained, but system load and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple physical cells are merged into a virtual cell that presents a unified identity to user equipment. This eliminates the need for frequent handovers between individual small cells, as the virtual cell provides continuous coverage. The physical cells still operate independently for capacity, but the virtual cell layer manages mobility smoothly without increasing handover complexity.
4Productivity
If unlicensed band carriers are used for carrier aggregation, then spectral efficiency is improved, but transmission continuity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual cell implements periodic transmission patterns adapted to unlicensed band characteristics. Instead of requiring continuous transmission, the system uses periodic activation of physical cells within the virtual cell structure, allowing the system to capitalize on available spectrum while accommodating the discontinuous nature of unlicensed band operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and an apparatus for wireless communication with dual connectivity are described. The apparatus supports dual connectivity with a first cell and a second cell and the apparatus comprises a radio frequency (RF) and a processor operatively coupled to the RF unit. The second cell is an overlaid virtual cell which is formed by collaborating the first cell and cell ID of the second cell is different from physical cell ID of the first cell when the processor uses primary synchronization signal (PSS), secondary synchronization signal (SSS) or cell-specific common reference signal (CRS) as synchronization signal for the second cell.