Wireless Connection Setup Reducing Control Plane Delay

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Solution Overview

Problem

The separation of functions in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) architecture between the control unit (CU) and the distributed unit (DU) leads to significant control plane delays, which are not in line with the low delay requirements of 5G systems, affecting system performance.

Innovation Solution

A wireless connection establishment method where a first network node sends resource configuration information to a second network node, allowing direct generation and exchange of RRC configuration information without prior triggering, thereby reducing control plane delays in procedures like connection management, handover, and bearer management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the control unit and distributed unit are separated in CRAN architecture, then the system functionality is improved and flexibility is enhanced, but the control plane delay increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem functionalityVSAvoidcontrol plane delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The DU proactively sends resource configuration information to the CU before the CU needs to initiate wireless connection procedures. This preliminary action eliminates the need for the CU to trigger the DU first and wait for configuration, thereby reducing the control plane delay in attach, handover, and other procedures while maintaining the functional separation benefits of CRAN architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If resource configuration information is exchanged through the CU-DU interface before connection establishment, then the configuration is prepared in advance, but the control plane delay increases due to multiple interface message exchanges

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration preparationVSAvoidcontrol plane delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of the conventional approach where the CU triggers the DU to send resource configuration information, this patent inverts the sequence by having the DU proactively send the configuration information to the CU. This inversion eliminates unnecessary trigger messages and waiting time, reducing the control plane delay while still achieving configuration preparation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Device complexity

If the DU waits for CU trigger to send resource configuration information, then the control flow is centralized, but the procedure delay increases due to sequential message exchanges

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol flow managementVSAvoidprocedure delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The DU performs preliminary action by sending resource configuration information to the CU before the CU needs it for connection establishment procedures. This eliminates the sequential trigger-wait-exchange pattern, reducing procedure delay while maintaining centralized control flow management through the CU's ultimate authority over the configuration usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3565350B1Method and device for establishing wireless connection
Publication Date: 2023.01.18 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3565350B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3565350B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3565350B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8

AI summary

This application provides a wireless connection establishment method and an apparatus. The method includes: sending, by a first network node, first resource configuration information to a second network node; and establishing, by the first network node, a wireless connection to a terminal and the second network node based on the first resource configuration information or received second resource configuration information that is sent by the second network node. Therefore, exchange of resource configuration information does not need to wait to be performed before a specific wireless connection is initialized or in a wireless connection establishment process, thereby reducing a control plane delay of establishing different procedures between the first network node and the second network node.