IP Library › Patent Application 18128781
Patent Application
App. No. 18/128,781

RADIO ACCESS NETWORK NODE, RADIO TERMINAL, AND METHODS THEREFOR

Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
18/128,781
Abstract

A master RAN node ( 1 ) associated with a master RAT ( 1 ) communicates with a secondary RAN node ( 2 ) associated with a secondary RAT and provides a radio terminal ( 3 ) with dual connectivity that uses the master RAT and the secondary RAT. In response to receiving, from the radio terminal ( 3 ) or a core network ( 4 ), terminal capability information indicating that the radio terminal ( 3 ) supports the split bearer, the master RAN node ( 1 ) uses a PDCP entity, which provides unified PDCP functionalities, for a master cell group split bearer for the radio terminal ( 3 ).

Claims (59)

1 . A method of a User Equipment (UE), the method comprising:

sending, to a network, UE capability information related to a split bearer in a Dual Connectivity (DC);

receiving a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message from the network; and

changing, based on the received RRC message, a first Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) entity, which is located at the UE, from a first PDCP function to a second PDCP function,

wherein the first PDCP function is used for a Master Cell Group (MCG) bearer by the first PDCP entity,

wherein the second PDCP function is used for the split bearer by the UE, and

wherein the split bearer includes a first split bearer split at a Master Node (MN) in the DC and a second split bearer split at a Secondary Node (SN) in the DC.

2 . The method according to claim 1 ,

wherein the UE changes the first PDCP entity from the first PDCP function to the second PDCP function by re-establishing or reconfiguring the first PDCP entity.

3 . The method according to claim 1 ,

wherein the second PDCP function is also used for the MCG bearer by the first PDCP entity.

4 . The method according to claim 1 ,

wherein the second PDCP function is also used for a Secondary Cell Group (SCG) bearer by the UE.

5 . The method according to claim 1 ,

wherein the second PDCP function is also used for the first split bearer by a second PDCP entity located at the MN, and

wherein the second PDCP function is also used for the second split bearer by a third PDCP entity located at the SN.

6 . The method according to claim 1 ,

wherein the MN is associated with a first Radio Access Technology (RAT), and

wherein the SN is associated with a second RAT different from the first RAT.

7 . The method according to claim 1 ,

wherein the RRC message is an RRC Reconfiguration message.

8 . The method according to claim 1 ,

wherein the second PDCP function is related to a New Radio (NR) PDCP.

9 . The method according to claim 1 ,

wherein the first split bearer is a first type split bearer split at the MN, and

wherein the second split bearer is a second type split bearer split at the SN.

10 . The method according to claim 1 ,

wherein a type of the split bearer includes a first type split at the MN and a second type split at the SN.

11 . A User Equipment (UE) comprising:

a memory; and

a processor coupled with the memory,

wherein the processor is configured to:

send, to a network, UE capability information related to a split bearer in a Dual Connectivity (DC);

receive a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message from the network; and

change, based on the received RRC message, a first Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) entity, which is located at the UE, from a first PDCP function to a second PDCP function,

wherein the first PDCP function is used for a Master Cell Group (MCG) bearer by the first PDCP entity,

wherein the second PDCP function is used for the split bearer by the UE, and

wherein the split bearer includes a first split bearer split at a Master Node (MN) in the DC and a second split bearer split at a Secondary Node (SN) in the DC.

12 . The UE according to claim 11 ,

wherein the UE changes the first PDCP entity from the first PDCP function to the second PDCP function by re-establishing or reconfiguring the first PDCP entity.

13 . The UE according to claim 11 ,

wherein the second PDCP function is also used for the MCG bearer by the first PDCP entity.

14 . The UE according to claim 11 ,

wherein the second PDCP function is also used for a Secondary Cell Group (SCG) bearer by the UE.

15 . The UE according to claim 11 ,

wherein the second PDCP function is also used for the first split bearer by a second PDCP entity located at the MN, and

wherein the second PDCP function is also used for the second split bearer by a third PDCP entity located at the SN.

16 . The UE according to claim 11 ,

wherein the MN is associated with a first Radio Access Technology (RAT), and

wherein the SN is associated with a second RAT different from the first RAT.

17 . The UE according to claim 11 ,

wherein the RRC message is an RRC Reconfiguration message.

18 . The UE according to claim 11 ,

wherein the second PDCP function is related to a New Radio (NR) PDCP.

19 . The UE according to claim 11 ,

wherein the first split bearer is a first type split bearer split at the MN, and

wherein the second split bearer is a second type split bearer split at the SN.

20 . The UE according to claim 11 ,

wherein a type of the split bearer includes a first type split at the MN and a second type split at the SN.