Virtual RRC Entity for Dual Connectivity Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dual connectivity support in telecommunications systems for small cells and macro cells complicates Radio Resource Control (RRC) plane architecture, requiring cumbersome inter-protocol communication and complex security architectures, especially in inter-vendor operations.
Innovation Solution
A simplified RRC architecture where configuration information is generated and transmitted between a primary node and a secondary node using virtual RRC entities, eliminating the need for inter-protocol communication by using Layer 2 and/or Layer 1 protocols, and performing ciphering and integrity checks at the primary node.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If dual connectivity support is implemented with separate RRC entities at primary and secondary nodes, then traffic offloading capability is improved, but RRC plane architecture complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the RRC plane functionality into a single RRC entity at the primary node, eliminating the need for separate RRC entities at secondary nodes. Configuration information for both primary and secondary cells is generated and managed by the single primary RRC entity, simplifying the overall RRC plane architecture while maintaining dual connectivity traffic offloading capabilities.
2Loss of information
If inter-protocol communication is implemented between primary and secondary nodes, then configuration information exchange is enabled, but communication specification complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the RRC configuration information generation function from the secondary node and consolidates it at the primary node. The primary RRC entity generates all configuration information and transmits it directly to the UE, eliminating the need for complex inter-protocol communication specifications between primary and secondary nodes for RRC configuration exchange.
Solution Approach 2:
The primary RRC entity acts as an intermediary that generates configuration information for both primary and secondary cells and transmits it to the UE. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for direct inter-protocol communication between primary and secondary nodes for RRC configuration, simplifying the communication architecture.
3Reliability
If separate security architectures are implemented for primary and secondary nodes, then security management is improved, but security architecture complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the security architecture into a unified structure managed by the single primary RRC entity. Since all configuration information is generated and transmitted by the primary RRC entity, a single security architecture at the primary node suffices to protect all RRC communications, eliminating the need for separate security architectures at secondary nodes.
Data Source
AI summary
A telecommunications method for a telecommunications system comprising a user equipment (202) in dual connection with a primary node (204) and a secondary node (206) is disclosed. The method comprises generating configuration information for the user equipment at a virtual radio resource control entity (210) of the secondary node or at the user equipment; transmitting the configuration information from the secondary node or the user equipment to a radio resource control entity (210) of the primary node; and transmitting the configuration information from the primary node to the other of the user equipment or secondary node from where the configuration information is received.