Wireless Terminal Uplink Data Multiplexing in Dual Connectivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dual connectivity in radio communications networks often fails to enhance performance satisfactorily due to inefficiencies in uplink data transmission management between multiple radio base stations, leading to potential misdirection of data transmissions and resource wastage.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method where wireless terminals transmit Buffer Status Reports (BSR) to multiple radio base stations and handle multiplexing of uplink data transmissions according to static or second configurations, ensuring data is prioritized and directed to the correct radio base station based on available grants, thereby avoiding transmission to 'wrong' stations and improving network performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If dual connectivity is implemented with multiple radio base stations, then network capacity and coverage are improved, but uplink data transmission management becomes complex and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork capacityVSAvoiduplink data transmission management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments uplink data transmission management by introducing separate BSR triggering mechanisms for different radio base stations. The wireless terminal divides uplink data into different logical channels and triggers BSR reports independently for each serving cell, allowing granular control over data transmission to multiple base stations without managing all data centrally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic BSR triggering based on real-time conditions. When uplink data is available for a logical channel and the corresponding BSR trigger condition is met, a BSR is triggered dynamically. The system adapts the triggering behavior based on whether data is new or retransmission, and whether the data is available for transmission at the current moment, optimizing transmission efficiency under varying network conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If data is transmitted to multiple radio base stations simultaneously, then network performance is enhanced, but data may be misdirected to wrong stations causing resource wastage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork performanceVSAvoiddata transmission accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms through Buffer Status Reports (BSR) that provide real-time information about uplink data availability to the radio base station. The wireless terminal reports buffer status for each logical channel, enabling the base station to make informed scheduling decisions. This feedback loop ensures data is directed to the correct base station with appropriate grants, preventing misdirection and resource wastage while maintaining high network performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If Buffer Status Reports are transmitted to multiple radio base stations, then transmission efficiency is improved, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission efficiencyVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by triggering BSR reports selectively rather than continuously for all logical channels. BSR is triggered only when specific conditions are met: when uplink data becomes available for a logical channel and the trigger condition is satisfied. This selective triggering reduces unnecessary signaling overhead while maintaining transmission efficiency by reporting only when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3064015B1Radio base station, wireless terminal, methods performed therein, computer program, and computer-readable storage medium
Publication Date: 2019.12.11 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3064015B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3064015B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3064015B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments herein relate to a method performed in a wireless terminal (10) for managing or handling uplink, UL, data transmissions in a radio communications network (1), wherein the wireless terminal (10) is served by a first radio base station (12) and a second radio base station (13) providing dual connectivity to the wireless terminal (10) in the radio communications network (1). The wireless terminal (10) transmits a buffer status report, BSR, to the first and/or second radio base station when a trigger is being fulfilled as configured at the wireless terminal (10). Furthermore, the wireless terminal (10) handles multiplexing of an uplink data transmission towards the first and second radio base stations according to a static configuration defining how to multiplex Media Access Control Service Data Units, MAC SDUs, from one or different logical channels onto transport blocks to be delivered to a physical layer on transport channels of a given radio base station out of the first radio base station and the second radio base station; and/or according to a second configuration where if there is data available for multiple logical channels with equal priority towards one of the radio base stations, then data of a logical channel for which the buffer status report is configured towards a radio base station providing a grant, is prioritized.