Wireless Network Node PCI Conflict Resolution via Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication networks, particularly in NSA systems, PCI conflicts lead to issues with setting up and maintaining secondary connections, as there is no feedback to the primary node regarding the success or failure of secondary connection setups, resulting in potential loss of connections and repeated failures.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where network nodes send acknowledgments or failure information to the primary node regarding secondary connection setups, allowing the primary node to take corrective actions and improve handling of PCI conflicts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If PCI is reused in different cells to limit the amount of communication resources, then the number of available PCIs is reduced and PCI conflict situations occur, but the communication resources are used more efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the secondary node sends acknowledgment or failure information back to the primary node regarding secondary connection setup. This feedback allows the primary node to detect PCI conflicts and take corrective actions such as selecting alternative secondary nodes or PCIs, thereby resolving the reliability issue caused by PCI reuse
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary verification of cell relations by having the secondary node send acknowledgment information before actual data transmission begins. This preliminary action allows the primary node to identify potential PCI conflicts in advance and prevent connection failures before they occur
2Productivity
If the primary node sends requests to set up secondary connections without receiving feedback, then the setup process is simpler and faster, but connection failures occur and the primary node cannot take corrective actions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces feedback information from the secondary node to the primary node, which includes acknowledgment of successful secondary connection setup or failure information. This feedback mechanism maintains the fast setup process while enabling the primary node to detect failures and take corrective actions, thus improving connection success rate without sacrificing setup speed
3Productivity
If the second network node is signaling-connected to the core network via the first network node in an NSA system, then Dual Connectivity is achieved with improved throughput, but the primary node lacks visibility into secondary connection status
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback transmission from the secondary node through the primary node to convey secondary connection status information. This allows the primary node to maintain visibility into the secondary connection state while preserving the NSA architecture that enables Dual Connectivity and improved throughput
Solution Approach 2:
The primary node acts as an intermediary that receives feedback information from the secondary node and forwards necessary information to the core network. This intermediary role allows the primary node to gain visibility into secondary connection status without disrupting the NSA signaling architecture
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method performed by a first network node of a wireless communication network, the first network node being of a first radio access network technology. The wireless communication network further comprises a second network node of a second radio access technology. The first network node has a direct signaling connection to a core network whereas the second network node is signaling-connected to the core network via the first network node. The method comprises receiving, from a UE that has a primary connection to the first network node, a Physical Cell Identity, PCI, that matches a PCI of a cell controlled by the second network node, and in response to the reception of the PCI, sending a request to the second network node initiating the second network node to set-up a secondary connection with the UE.