Multi-Connection Wireless Access Network Control and User Plane Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In high-density user equipment (UE) areas, small cells face challenges with frequent handovers, increased signaling overhead, radio link failures due to small coverage areas, and uneven data throughput caused by high latency backhaul links, leading to inefficient data offloading and communication.
Innovation Solution
A UE concurrently connects to multiple small cells for user plane data communication and a macro wireless access network node for control plane connections, allowing for coordinated data distribution across multiple physical and logical connections, reducing handover latency and improving data throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a UE connects to multiple small cells for user plane data communication, then data throughput is enhanced by distributing data across multiple nodes, but device complexity increases due to managing multiple simultaneous connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the connection architecture by separating control plane functions (managed through a single control plane connection to one small cell) from user plane functions (distributed across multiple user plane connections to multiple small cells). This segmentation allows the UE to maintain multiple data paths while simplifying control management, thereby enhancing data throughput without proportionally increasing connection management complexity.
2Productivity
If small cells are deployed to offload communications from macro cells, then network capacity is increased in high-density areas, but signaling overhead increases due to frequent handovers between small cells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by establishing a control plane connection to a home small cell before data transmission begins. This pre-established control path enables the network to proactively manage user plane connections and coordinate handovers between small cells, reducing the signaling overhead associated with reactive handover procedures in high-density deployments.
3Productivity
If small cells operate within macro cell coverage areas, then data offloading is enabled to meet capacity demands, but radio link failures occur due to small coverage areas and high latency backhaul links
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the macro cell as an intermediary node that provides a stable control plane anchor for UEs connected to multiple small cells. The macro cell's larger coverage area and more reliable backhaul connection compensate for the limitations of individual small cells, thereby enhancing radio link stability while maintaining data offloading capabilities to multiple small cells.
Data Source
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AI summary
A control plane connection is established between a user equipment (UE) and a first wireless access network node. Signaling in the control plane connection is used for establishing a plurality of connections between the UE and corresponding additional plurality of wireless access network nodes, to communicate user plane data between the UE and the additional wireless access network nodes.