TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to wireless communications, and in particular, to dynamic settings of thresholds used in dual connectivity.

BACKGROUND

The Third Generation Partnership Project (3 GPP) standard has specified six deployment options for Fifth Generation (5G) (also referred to as New Radio (NR)) wireless communication systems, which are summarized in Table Ibelow. Three of these deployment options require dual connectivity between Fourth Generation (4G) (also referred to as Long Term Evolution (LTE) or evolved LTE (eLTE)) and 5G NR, i.e., options 3, 4, 7 shown in Table 1, in which user data can be carried through either LTE (or eLTE) and/or NR. Option 3 in Table 1 is referred to as Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) - NR Dual Connectivity (EN-DC), where LTE is the master radio access technology (RAT), the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) is the core network, and NR is the secondary RAT. Option 4 in Table 1 is referred to as NR-E-UTRA-Dual Connectivity (NE-DC), where NR is the master RAT, 5G Core (5GC) is the core network, and eLTE is the secondary RAT. Option 7 is referred to as NG-RAN E-UTRA-NR Dual Connectivity, where eLTE is the master RAT, 5GC is the core network, and NR is the secondary RAT.

Table 1: Example 3GPP deployment configurations

Adding NR secondary cell group (SCG) in EN-DC

In existing systems, an EN-DC capable wireless device may start by connecting to an LTE “master” network node/radio base station (e.g., an evolved node B (eNB)), which is then configured to measure NR signal quality which will be used to decide if an NR Secondary Cell Group (SCG) should be added to the wireless device. Specifically, the wireless device may be configured with event “B 1” by an eNB, which may be triggered when a measured quantity from inter radio access technology (RAT) neighbor (NR in this case) becomes better than (e.g., greater than) the event configured threshold, referred to as biThreshold. The measured quantity can be, for example, Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ), or Signal to Inference-and-Noise Ratio (SINR). In existing deployments, biThreshold may be a fixed parameter set by the operator. Upon receiving a reported B 1 event measurement report from the wireless device, a network node/radio base station (e.g., an eNB) decides whether to add the NR SCG to the wireless device (the network node may also use other additional inputs in the decision such as load balancing, admission control, etc.). Once it is decided that NR SCG to be added, the wireless device is configured with all necessary information that allows it to perform random access to the NR network node/radio base station (e.g., a Next Generation Node B (gNB)), and if the random access is successful, the wireless device completes the addition of the NR SCG. If random access fails, the wireless device sends to the eNB a SCGFailurelnformationNR RRC message with failureType set to randomAccessProblem.

As described above, in existing systems, the biThreshold is a fixed parameter that may not be adaptable to different deployments and/or served wireless devices, thereby potentially negatively affecting one or more system metrics such as random access success rate. SUMMARY

Some embodiments advantageously provide methods, systems, and apparatuses for dynamic settings of thresholds used in dual connectivity.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, techniques are described which may enable dynamic settings of thresholds, such as the biThreshold, to achieve a target random access success rate, such as in an LTE-NR dual connectivity system. For example, this may be achieved by utilizing random access failure messages, which may be received when NR SCG addition failed due to random access failure, as an input to a control loop that may increase or decrease the threshold (e.g., biThreshold) to achieve the target random access success rate.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a first network node configured to communicate with a wireless device is provided. The wireless device is configured for dual connectivity to a second network node. The first network node comprises processing circuitry configured to cause transmission of a first indication to the wireless device which indicates a threshold value to be used by the wireless device for a first attempt to connect to the second network node. The processing circuitry is further configured to receive a first message from the wireless device associated with the first attempt of the wireless device to connect to the second network node. The processing circuitry is further configured to adjust the threshold value in response to receiving the first message. The processing circuitry is further configured to cause transmission of a second indication to at least one wireless device, the second indication indicating the adjusted threshold value to be used by the at least one wireless device for a second attempt to connect to the second network node.

In one or more embodiments of this aspect, the adjusting of the first threshold value includes one of: decreasing the first threshold value based on the first message indicating the first attempt succeeded, and increasing the first threshold value based on the first message indicating the first attempt failed. In one or more embodiments of this aspect, the decreasing of the first threshold value is limited to no less than a minimum value, and the increasing of the first threshold value is limited to no more than a maximum value. In one or more embodiments of this aspect, the increasing of the first threshold value includes increasing the first threshold value by an up- step quantity, where the up-step quantity is determined based on a target success rate associated with the wireless device.

In one or more embodiments of this aspect, the target success rate is associated with at least one of: a time and date, a network load, a priority class of the wireless device, a quality of service, QOS, class of the wireless device, a power class of the wireless device, and a capability class of the wireless device. In one or more embodiments of this aspect, the decreasing of the first threshold value includes decreasing the first threshold value by a preconfigured down-step quantity. In one or more embodiments of this aspect, the up-step quantity is determined according to: tarqet success rate , up-step = - - - X down-step,

1-target success rate where up-step is the up-step quantity, down-step is the down-step quantity, and target success rate is the target success rate associated with the wireless device. In one or more embodiments of this aspect, the wireless device is associated with a group of wireless devices including at least one additional wireless device, where the group of wireless devices is associated with the target success rate, and the processing circuitry is further configured to: receive a second message from the at least one additional wireless device, where the second message is associated with a first attempt of the at least one additional wireless device to connect to the second network node, adjust the threshold value in response to receiving the second message, and to cause transmission of a third indication to the at least one additional wireless device indicating the adjusted threshold value to be used by the at least one additional wireless device for a second attempt to connect to the second network node.

In one or more embodiments of this aspect, the target success rate is associated with at least one of: a time and date, a network load, a priority class of the group of wireless devices, a quality of service, QOS, class of the group of wireless devices, a power class of the group of wireless devices, and a capability class of the group of wireless devices. In one or more embodiments of this aspect, the first threshold value is associated with at least one of: a Reference Signal Received Power, RSRP, value, a Reference Signal Received Quality, RSRQ, value, and a Signal to Interference and Noise Ratio, SINR, value. In one or more embodiments of this aspect, the first network node is associated with a master cell group, and the second network node is associated with a secondary cell group. In one or more embodiments of this aspect, the first network node is associated with a first radio access technology, RAT, the second network node is associated with a second RAT, and the second RAT is either different from the first RAT or the same as the first RAT.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method implemented in a first network node configured to communicate with a wireless device is provided. The wireless device is configured for dual connectivity to a second network node. A first indication is transmitted to the wireless device, where the first indication indicates a threshold value to be used by the wireless device for a first attempt to connect to the second network node. A first message is received from the wireless device associated with the first attempt of the wireless device to connect to the second network node. The threshold value is adjusted in response to receiving the first message. A second indication is transmitted to at least one wireless device, where the second indication indicates the adjusted threshold value to be used by the at least one wireless device for a second attempt to connect to the second network node.

In one or more embodiments of this aspect, the adjusting of the first threshold value includes one of: decreasing the first threshold value based on the first message indicating the first attempt succeeded, and increasing the first threshold value based on the first message indicating the first attempt failed. In one or more embodiments of this aspect, the decreasing of the first threshold value is limited to no less than a minimum value, and the increasing of the first threshold value is limited to no more than a maximum value. In one or more embodiments of this aspect, the increasing of the first threshold value includes increasing the first threshold value by an up- step quantity, where the up-step quantity is determined based on a target success rate associated with the wireless device. In one or more embodiments of this aspect, the target success rate is associated with at least one of: a time and date, a network load, a priority class of the wireless device, a quality of service, QOS, class of the wireless device, a power class of the wireless device, and a capability class of the wireless device. In one or more embodiments of this aspect, the decreasing of the first threshold value includes decreasing the first threshold value by a preconfigured down-step quantity. In one or more embodiments of this aspect, the up-step quantity is determined according to: target success rate , up-step = - - - X down-step, l-target success rate where up-step is the up-step quantity, down-step is the down-step quantity, and target success rate is the target success rate associated with the wireless device.

In one or more embodiments of this aspect, the wireless device is associated with a group of wireless devices including at least one additional wireless device, where the group of wireless devices is associated with the target success rate, and the method further includes receiving a second message from the at least one additional wireless device, where the second message is associated with a first attempt of the at least one additional wireless device to connect to the second network node, adjusting the threshold value in response to receiving the second message, and causing transmission of a third indication to the at least one additional wireless device indicating the adjusted threshold value to be used by the at least one additional wireless device for a second attempt to connect to the second network node.

In one or more embodiments of this aspect, the target success rate is associated with at least one of: a time and date, a network load, a priority class of the group of wireless devices, a quality of service, QOS, class of the group of wireless devices, a power class of the group of wireless devices, and a capability class of the group of wireless devices. In one or more embodiments of this aspect, the first threshold value is associated with at least one of: a Reference Signal Received Power, RSRP, value, a Reference Signal Received Quality, RSRQ, value, and a Signal to Interference and Noise Ratio, SINR, value. In one or more embodiments of this aspect, the first network node is associated with a master cell group, and the second network node is associated with a secondary cell group. In one or more embodiments of this aspect, the first network node is associated with a first radio access technology, RAT, the second network node is associated with a second RAT, and the second RAT is either different from the first RAT or the same as the first RAT.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a wireless device configured to communicate with a first network node is provided. The wireless device is configured for dual connectivity to a second network node. The wireless device comprising processing circuitry configured to receive a first indication from the first network node indicating a threshold value to be used by the wireless device for a first attempt to connect to the second network node. The processing circuitry is further configured to initiate a first attempt to connect to the second network node. The processing circuitry is further configured to cause transmission of a first message to the first network node based on the first attempt of the wireless device to connect to the second network node. The processing circuitry is further configured to, in response to the transmission of the first message, receive a second indication from the first network node, the second indication indicating an adjusted threshold value. The processing circuitry is further configured to initiate a second attempt to connect to the second network node based on the adjusted threshold value.

According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the adjusted threshold value is one of: a decrease of the first threshold value based on the first message indicating the first attempt succeeded, and an increase of the first threshold value based on the first message indicating the first attempt failed. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the decrease of the first threshold value is limited to no less than a minimum value; and the increase of the first threshold value is limited to no more than a maximum value. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the first threshold value is increased by an up-step quantity, where the up-step quantity is associated with a target success rate associated with the wireless device. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the target success rate is associated with at least one of: a time and date; a network load; a priority class of the wireless device; a quality of service, QOS, class of the wireless device; a power class of the wireless device; and a capability class of the wireless device. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the first threshold value is decreased by a preconfigured down- step quantity. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the association of the up-step quantity to the target success rate is according to: tarqet success rate , up-step = - X down-step,

1-target success rate where up-step is the up-step quantity, down-step is the down-step quantity, and target success rate is the target success rate associated with the wireless device. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the first threshold value is associated with at least one of: a Reference Signal Received Power, RSRP, value, a Reference Signal Received Quality, RSRQ, value, and a Signal to Interference and Noise Ratio, SINR, value. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the first network node is associated with a master cell group, and the second network node is associated with a secondary cell group. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the first network node is associated with a first radio access technology, RAT, the second network node is associated with a second RAT, where the second RAT is either different from the first RAT or the same as the first RAT.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method implemented in a wireless device configured to communicate with a first network node is provided. The wireless device is configured for dual connectivity to a second network node. A first indication is received from the first network node indicating a threshold value to be used by the wireless device for a first attempt to connect to the second network node. A first attempt to connect to the second network node is initiated. A first message is transmitted to the first network node based on the first attempt of the wireless device to connect to the second network node. In response to the transmission of the first message, a second indication is received from the first network node, the second indication indicating an adjusted threshold value. A second attempt to connect to the second network node is initiated based on the adjusted threshold value.

According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the adjusted threshold value is one of: a decrease of the first threshold value based on the first message indicating the first attempt succeeded, and an increase of the first threshold value based on the first message indicating the first attempt failed. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the decrease of the first threshold value is limited to no less than a minimum value; and the increase of the first threshold value is limited to no more than a maximum value. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the first threshold value is increased by an up-step quantity, where the up-step quantity is associated with a target success rate associated with the wireless device. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the target success rate is associated with at least one of: a time and date; a network load; a priority class of the wireless device; a quality of service, QOS, class of the wireless device; a power class of the wireless device; and a capability class of the wireless device. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the first threshold value is decreased by a preconfigured down- step quantity. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the association of the up-step quantity to the target success rate is according down-step, where up-step is the up-step quantity, down-step is the down-step quantity, and target success rate is the target success rate associated with the wireless device. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the first threshold value is associated with at least one of: a Reference Signal Received Power, RSRP, value, a Reference Signal Received Quality, RSRQ, value, and a Signal to Interference and Noise Ratio, SINR, value. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the first network node is associated with a master cell group, and the second network node is associated with a secondary cell group. According to one or more embodiments of this aspect, the first network node is associated with a first radio access technology, RAT, the second network node is associated with a second RAT, where the second RAT is either different from the first RAT or the same as the first RAT.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present embodiments, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example network architecture illustrating a communication system connected via an intermediate network to a host computer according to the principles in the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a host computer communicating via a network node with a wireless device over an at least partially wireless connection according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating example methods implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a network node and a wireless device for executing a client application at a wireless device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating example methods implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a network node and a wireless device for receiving user data at a wireless device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating example methods implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a network node and a wireless device for receiving user data from the wireless device at a host computer according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating example methods implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a network node and a wireless device for receiving user data at a host computer according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an example process in a network node for dynamic settings of thresholds used in dual connectivity according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an example process in a wireless device for dynamic settings of thresholds used in dual connectivity according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a graph of simulation results depicting random access success rate as a function of time for different schemes according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 10 is a graph of simulation results depicting threshold in dBM as a function of time for different schemes according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, in existing systems, the biThreshold is a fixed parameter that may not be adaptable to different deployments and/or served wireless devices. For example, increasing the value of the bl Threshold may potentially reduce the wireless devices which will be able to use the SCG (e.g., NR), but may also potentially increase the random access success rate, because a higher bl Threshold implies that only wireless devices with better signal quality will report B 1 measurements. Conversely, reducing the value of biThreshold may potentially increase the wireless devices which will be able to use the SCG/NR, but may also potentially reduce the random access success rate, because a lower bl Threshold implies that more wireless devices with worse signal quality will report Bl measurements. This highlights the tradeoff between these two metrics: the number of wireless devices which can use a SCG/NR and a random access success rate. The exact tradeoff between these two metrics depends on the deployment, wireless device distributions, and wireless device implementations.

One or more embodiments described herein provides for setting/adjusting the biThreshold to achieve a target random access success rate, thereby allowing, for example, for the proper setting of the biThreshold to aid in achieving the desired tradeoff for a given deployment.

Before describing in detail exemplary embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of apparatus components and processing steps related to dynamic settings of thresholds used in dual connectivity. Accordingly, components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description.

As used herein, relational terms, such as “first” and “second,” “top” and “bottom,” and the like, may be used solely to distinguish one entity or element from another entity or element without necessarily requiring or implying any physical or logical relationship or order between such entities or elements. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the concepts described herein. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

In embodiments described herein, the joining term, “in communication with” and the like, may be used to indicate electrical or data communication, which may be accomplished by physical contact, induction, electromagnetic radiation, radio signaling, infrared signaling or optical signaling, for example. One having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that multiple components may interoperate and modifications and variations are possible of achieving the electrical and data communication.

In some embodiments described herein, the term “coupled,” “connected,” and the like, may be used herein to indicate a connection, although not necessarily directly, and may include wired and/or wireless connections.

The term “network node” used herein can be any kind of network node comprised in a radio network which may further comprise any of base station (BS), radio base station, base transceiver station (BTS), base station controller (BSC), radio network controller (RNC), g Node B (gNB), evolved Node B (eNB or eNodeB), Node B, multi- standard radio (MSR) radio node such as MSR BS, multi-cell/multicast coordination entity (MCE), integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, relay node, donor node controlling relay, radio access point (AP), transmission points, transmission nodes, Remote Radio Unit (RRU) Remote Radio Head (RRH), a core network node (e.g., mobile management entity (MME), self-organizing network (SON) node, a coordinating node, positioning node, MDT node, etc.), an external node (e.g., 3rd party node, a node external to the current network), nodes in distributed antenna system (DAS), a spectrum access system (SAS) node, an element management system (EMS), etc. The network node may also comprise test equipment. The term “radio node” used herein may be used to also denote a wireless device (WD) such as a wireless device (WD) or a radio network node.

In some embodiments, the non-limiting terms wireless device (WD) or a user equipment (UE) are used interchangeably. The WD herein can be any type of wireless device capable of communicating with a network node or another WD over radio signals, such as wireless device (WD). The WD may also be a radio communication device, target device, device to device (D2D) WD, machine type WD or WD capable of machine to machine communication (M2M), low-cost and/or low- complexity WD, a sensor equipped with WD, Tablet, mobile terminals, smart phone, laptop embedded equipped (LEE), laptop mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles, Customer Premises Equipment (CPE), an Internet of Things (loT) device, or a Narrowband loT (NB-IOT) device, etc.

Also, in some embodiments the generic term “radio network node” is used. It can be any kind of a radio network node which may comprise any of base station, radio base station, base transceiver station, base station controller, network controller, RNC, evolved Node B (eNB), Node B, gNB, Multi-cell/multicast Coordination Entity (MCE), IAB node, relay node, access point, radio access point, Remote Radio Unit (RRU) Remote Radio Head (RRH).

Note that although terminology from one particular wireless system, such as, for example, 3GPP LTE and/or New Radio (NR), may be used in this disclosure, this should not be seen as limiting the scope of the disclosure to only the aforementioned system. Other wireless systems, including without limitation Wide Band Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB) and Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), may also benefit from exploiting the ideas covered within this disclosure.

Note further, that functions described herein as being performed by a wireless device or a network node may be distributed over a plurality of wireless devices and/or network nodes. In other words, it is contemplated that the functions of the network node and wireless device described herein are not limited to performance by a single physical device and, in fact, can be distributed among several physical devices.

As used herein, the term “connect” may include initiating/establishing/synchronizing/etc. a connection with a network entity, for example, according to a random access procedure. In the context of dual connectivity, “connect” may refer to establishing a dual connectivity connection with a network entity. For example, a first network entity may be connected to a second network entity, and then the first network entity may connect (i.e., establish a dual connectivity connection with) a third network entity while still connected to the second network entity.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Some embodiments provide dynamic settings of thresholds used in dual connectivity.

Referring now to the drawing figures, in which like elements are referred to by like reference numerals, there is shown in FIG. 1 a schematic diagram of a communication system 10, according to an embodiment, such as a 3GPP-type cellular network that may support standards such as LTE and/or NR (5G), which comprises an access network 12, such as a radio access network, and a core network 14. The access network 12 comprises a plurality of network nodes 16a, 16b, 16c (referred to collectively as network nodes 16), such as NBs, eNBs, gNBs or other types of wireless access points, each defining a corresponding coverage area 18a, 18b, 18c (referred to collectively as coverage areas 18). Each network node 16a, 16b, 16c is connectable to the core network 14 over a wired or wireless connection 20. A first wireless device (WD) 22a located in coverage area 18a is configured to wirelessly connect to, or be paged by, the corresponding network node 16a. A second WD 22b in coverage area 18b is wirelessly connectable to the corresponding network node 16b. While a plurality of WDs 22a, 22b (collectively referred to as wireless devices 22) are illustrated in this example, the disclosed embodiments are equally applicable to a situation where a sole WD is in the coverage area or where a sole WD is connecting to the corresponding network node 16. Note that although only two WDs 22 and three network nodes 16 are shown for convenience, the communication system may include many more WDs 22 and network nodes 16.

Also, it is contemplated that a WD 22 can be in simultaneous communication and/or configured to separately communicate with more than one network node 16 and more than one type of network node 16. For example, a WD 22 can have dual connectivity with a network node 16 that supports LTE and the same or a different network node 16 that supports NR. As an example, WD 22 can be in communication with an eNB for LTE/E-UTRAN and a gNB for NR/NG-RAN.

The communication system 10 may itself be connected to a host computer 24, which may be embodied in the hardware and/or software of a standalone server, a cloud-implemented server, a distributed server or as processing resources in a server farm. The host computer 24 may be under the ownership or control of a service provider, or may be operated by the service provider or on behalf of the service provider. The connections 26, 28 between the communication system 10 and the host computer 24 may extend directly from the core network 14 to the host computer 24 or may extend via an optional intermediate network 30. The intermediate network 30 may be one of, or a combination of more than one of, a public, private or hosted network. The intermediate network 30, if any, may be a backbone network or the Internet. In some embodiments, the intermediate network 30 may comprise two or more sub-networks (not shown).

The communication system of FIG. 1 as a whole enables connectivity between one of the connected WDs 22a, 22b and the host computer 24. The connectivity may be described as an over-the-top (OTT) connection. The host computer 24 and the connected WDs 22a, 22b are configured to communicate data and/or signaling via the OTT connection, using the access network 12, the core network 14, any intermediate network 30 and possible further infrastructure (not shown) as intermediaries. The OTT connection may be transparent in the sense that at least some of the participating communication devices through which the OTT connection passes are unaware of routing of uplink and downlink communications. For example, a network node 16 may not or need not be informed about the past routing of an incoming downlink communication with data originating from a host computer 24 to be forwarded (e.g., handed over) to a connected WD 22a. Similarly, the network node 16 need not be aware of the future routing of an outgoing uplink communication originating from the WD 22a towards the host computer 24.

A network node 16 is configured to include a threshold setting unit 32 which is configured to perform one or more network node 16 functions as described herein, such as, for example, adjusting a threshold value used by a wireless device for connecting to another network node 16 in dual connectivity scenarios. A wireless device 22 is configured to include a reporting unit 34 which is configured to perform one or more wireless device 22 functions as described herein, such as, for example, reporting to the network node 16 information regarding a dual connection attempt to another network node 16.

Example implementations, in accordance with an embodiment, of the WD 22, network node 16 and host computer 24 discussed in the preceding paragraphs will now be described with reference to FIG. 2. In a communication system 10, a host computer 24 comprises hardware (HW) 38 including a communication interface 40 configured to set up and maintain a wired or wireless connection with an interface of a different communication device of the communication system 10. The host computer 24 further comprises processing circuitry 42, which may have storage and/or processing capabilities. The processing circuitry 42 may include a processor 44 and memory 46. In particular, in addition to or instead of a processor, such as a central processing unit, and memory, the processing circuitry 42 may comprise integrated circuitry for processing and/or control, e.g., one or more processors and/or processor cores and/or FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Array) and/or ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuitry) adapted to execute instructions. The processor 44 may be configured to access (e.g., write to and/or read from) memory 46, which may comprise any kind of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory, e.g., cache and/or buffer memory and/or RAM (Random Access Memory) and/or ROM (Read- Only Memory) and/or optical memory and/or EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory).

Processing circuitry 42 may be configured to control any of the methods and/or processes described herein and/or to cause such methods, and/or processes to be performed, e.g., by host computer 24. Processor 44 corresponds to one or more processors 44 for performing host computer 24 functions described herein. The host computer 24 includes memory 46 that is configured to store data, programmatic software code and/or other information described herein. In some embodiments, the software 48 and/or the host application 50 may include instructions that, when executed by the processor 44 and/or processing circuitry 42, causes the processor 44 and/or processing circuitry 42 to perform the processes described herein with respect to host computer 24. The instructions may be software associated with the host computer 24.

The software 48 may be executable by the processing circuitry 42. The software 48 includes a host application 50. The host application 50 may be operable to provide a service to a remote user, such as a WD 22 connecting via an OTT connection 52 terminating at the WD 22 and the host computer 24. In providing the service to the remote user, the host application 50 may provide user data which is transmitted using the OTT connection 52. The “user data” may be data and information described herein as implementing the described functionality. In one embodiment, the host computer 24 may be configured for providing control and functionality to a service provider and may be operated by the service provider or on behalf of the service provider. The processing circuitry 42 of the host computer 24 may enable the host computer 24 to observe, monitor, control, transmit to and/or receive from the network node 16 and or the wireless device 22. The processing circuitry 42 of the host computer 24 may include a network configuration unit 54 configured to enable the service provider to observe/monitor/control/transmit to/receive from/etc. the network node 16 and or the wireless device 22.

The communication system 10 further includes a network node 16 provided in a communication system 10 and including hardware 58 enabling it to communicate with the host computer 24 and with the WD 22. The hardware 58 may include a communication interface 60 for setting up and maintaining a wired or wireless connection with an interface of a different communication device of the communication system 10, as well as a radio interface 62 for setting up and maintaining at least a wireless connection 64 with a WD 22 located in a coverage area 18 served by the network node 16. The radio interface 62 may be formed as or may include, for example, one or more RF transmitters, one or more RF receivers, and/or one or more RF transceivers. The communication interface 60 may be configured to facilitate a connection 66 to the host computer 24. The connection 66 may be direct or it may pass through a core network 14 of the communication system 10 and/or through one or more intermediate networks 30 outside the communication system 10. In the embodiment shown, the hardware 58 of the network node 16 further includes processing circuitry 68. The processing circuitry 68 may include a processor 70 and a memory 72. In particular, in addition to or instead of a processor, such as a central processing unit, and memory, the processing circuitry 68 may comprise integrated circuitry for processing and/or control, e.g., one or more processors and/or processor cores and/or FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Array) and/or ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuitry) adapted to execute instructions. The processor 70 may be configured to access (e.g., write to and/or read from) the memory 72, which may comprise any kind of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory, e.g., cache and/or buffer memory and/or RAM (Random Access Memory) and/or ROM (Read-Only Memory) and/or optical memory and/or EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory).

Thus, the network node 16 further has software 74 stored internally in, for example, memory 72, or stored in external memory (e.g., database, storage array, network storage device, etc.) accessible by the network node 16 via an external connection. The software 74 may be executable by the processing circuitry 68. The processing circuitry 68 may be configured to control any of the methods and/or processes described herein and/or to cause such methods, and/or processes to be performed, e.g., by network node 16. Processor 70 corresponds to one or more processors 70 for performing network node 16 functions described herein. The memory 72 is configured to store data, programmatic software code and/or other information described herein. In some embodiments, the software 74 may include instructions that, when executed by the processor 70 and/or processing circuitry 68, causes the processor 70 and/or processing circuitry 68 to perform the processes described herein with respect to network node 16. For example, processing circuitry 68 of the network node 16 may include threshold setting unit 32 configured to perform one or more network node 16 functions as described herein, such as, for example, causing transmission of a first indication to the wireless device 22, the first indication indicating a threshold value to be used by the wireless device 22 for a first attempt to connect to the second network node 16, receive a first message from the wireless device 22 associated with the first attempt of the wireless device 22 to connect to the second network node 16, adjusting the threshold value in response to receiving the first message, and causing transmission of a second indication to the wireless device 22, the second indication indicating the adjusted threshold value to be used by the wireless device 22 for a second attempt to connect to the second network node 16.

The communication system 10 further includes the WD 22 already referred to. The WD 22 may have hardware 80 that may include a radio interface 82 configured to set up and maintain a wireless connection 64 with a network node 16 serving a coverage area 18 in which the WD 22 is currently located. The radio interface 82 may be formed as or may include, for example, one or more RF transmitters, one or more RF receivers, and/or one or more RF transceivers.

The hardware 80 of the WD 22 further includes processing circuitry 84. The processing circuitry 84 may include a processor 86 and memory 88. In particular, in addition to or instead of a processor, such as a central processing unit, and memory, the processing circuitry 84 may comprise integrated circuitry for processing and/or control, e.g., one or more processors and/or processor cores and/or FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Array) and/or ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuitry) adapted to execute instructions. The processor 86 may be configured to access (e.g., write to and/or read from) memory 88, which may comprise any kind of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory, e.g., cache and/or buffer memory and/or RAM (Random Access Memory) and/or ROM (Read-Only Memory) and/or optical memory and/or EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory).

Thus, the WD 22 may further comprise software 90, which is stored in, for example, memory 88 at the WD 22, or stored in external memory (e.g., database, storage array, network storage device, etc.) accessible by the WD 22. The software 90 may be executable by the processing circuitry 84. The software 90 may include a client application 92. The client application 92 may be operable to provide a service to a human or non-human user via the WD 22, with the support of the host computer 24. In the host computer 24, an executing host application 50 may communicate with the executing client application 92 via the OTT connection 52 terminating at the WD 22 and the host computer 24. In providing the service to the user, the client application 92 may receive request data from the host application 50 and provide user data in response to the request data. The OTT connection 52 may transfer both the request data and the user data. The client application 92 may interact with the user to generate the user data that it provides.

The processing circuitry 84 may be configured to control any of the methods and/or processes described herein and/or to cause such methods, and/or processes to be performed, e.g., by WD 22. The processor 86 corresponds to one or more processors 86 for performing WD 22 functions described herein. The WD 22 includes memory 88 that is configured to store data, programmatic software code and/or other information described herein. In some embodiments, the software 90 and/or the client application 92 may include instructions that, when executed by the processor 86 and/or processing circuitry 84, causes the processor 86 and/or processing circuitry 84 to perform the processes described herein with respect to WD 22. For example, the processing circuitry 84 of the wireless device 22 may include a reporting unit 34 configured to perform one or more WD 22 functions as described herein, such as, for example, receiving a first indication from the first network node 16, the first indication indicating a threshold value to be used by the wireless device 22 for a first attempt to connect to the second network node 16, initiating a first attempt to connect to the second network node 16, cause transmission of a first message to the first network node 16 based on the first attempt of the wireless device 22 to connect to the second network node 16, in response to the transmission of the first message, receiving a second indication from the first network node 16, the second indication indicating an adjusted threshold value, and initiate a second attempt to dual connect to the second network node 16 based on the adjusted threshold value.

In some embodiments, the inner workings of the network node 16, WD 22, and host computer 24 may be as shown in FIG. 2 and independently, the surrounding network topology may be that of FIG. 1.

In FIG. 2, the OTT connection 52 has been drawn abstractly to illustrate the communication between the host computer 24 and the wireless device 22 via the network node 16, without explicit reference to any intermediary devices and the precise routing of messages via these devices. Network infrastructure may determine the routing, which it may be configured to hide from the WD 22 or from the service provider operating the host computer 24, or both. While the OTT connection 52 is active, the network infrastructure may further take decisions by which it dynamically changes the routing (e.g., on the basis of load balancing consideration or reconfiguration of the network).

The wireless connection 64 between the WD 22 and the network node 16 is in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. One or more of the various embodiments improve the performance of OTT services provided to the WD 22 using the OTT connection 52, in which the wireless connection 64 may form the last segment. More precisely, the teachings of some of these embodiments may improve the data rate, latency, and/or power consumption and thereby provide benefits such as reduced user waiting time, relaxed restriction on file size, better responsiveness, extended battery lifetime, etc.

In some embodiments, a measurement procedure may be provided for the purpose of monitoring data rate, latency and other factors on which the one or more embodiments improve. There may further be an optional network functionality for reconfiguring the OTT connection 52 between the host computer 24 and WD 22, in response to variations in the measurement results. The measurement procedure and/or the network functionality for reconfiguring the OTT connection 52 may be implemented in the software 48 of the host computer 24 or in the software 90 of the WD 22, or both. In embodiments, sensors (not shown) may be deployed in or in association with communication devices through which the OTT connection 52 passes; the sensors may participate in the measurement procedure by supplying values of the monitored quantities exemplified above, or supplying values of other physical quantities from which software 48, 90 may compute or estimate the monitored quantities. The reconfiguring of the OTT connection 52 may include message format, retransmission settings, preferred routing, etc.; the reconfiguring need not affect the network node 16, and it may be unknown or imperceptible to the network node 16. Some such procedures and functionalities may be known and practiced in the art. In certain embodiments, measurements may involve proprietary WD signaling facilitating the host computer’s 24 measurements of throughput, propagation times, latency and the like. In some embodiments, the measurements may be implemented in that the software 48, 90 causes messages to be transmitted, in particular empty or ‘dummy’ messages, using the OTT connection 52 while it monitors propagation times, errors, etc. Thus, in some embodiments, the host computer 24 includes processing circuitry 42 configured to provide user data and a communication interface 40 that is configured to forward the user data to a cellular network for transmission to the WD 22. In some embodiments, the cellular network also includes the network node 16 with a radio interface 62. In some embodiments, the network node 16 is configured to, and/or the network node’s 16 processing circuitry 68 is configured to perform the functions and/or methods described herein for preparing/initiating/maintaining/supporting/ending a transmission to the WD 22, and/or preparing/terminating/maintaining/supporting/ending in receipt of a transmission from the WD 22.

In some embodiments, the host computer 24 includes processing circuitry 42 and a communication interface 40 that is configured to a communication interface 40 configured to receive user data originating from a transmission from a WD 22 to a network node 16. In some embodiments, the WD 22 is configured to, and/or comprises a radio interface 82 and/or processing circuitry 84 configured to perform the functions and/or methods described herein for preparing/initiating/maintaining/supporting/ending a transmission to the network node 16, and/or preparing/terminating/maintaining/supporting/ending in receipt of a transmission from the network node 16.

Although FIGS. 1 and 2 show various “units” such as threshold setting unit 32, and reporting unit 34 as being within a respective processor, it is contemplated that these units may be implemented such that a portion of the unit is stored in a corresponding memory within the processing circuitry. In other words, the units may be implemented in hardware or in a combination of hardware and software within the processing circuitry.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example method implemented in a communication system, such as, for example, the communication system of FIGS. 1 and 2, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system may include a host computer 24, a network node 16 and a WD 22, which may be those described with reference to FIG. 2. In a first step of the method, the host computer 24 provides user data (Block S 100). In an optional substep of the first step, the host computer 24 provides the user data by executing a host application, such as, for example, the host application 50 (Block S102). In a second step, the host computer 24 initiates a transmission carrying the user data to the WD 22 (Block S104). In an optional third step, the network node 16 transmits to the WD 22 the user data which was carried in the transmission that the host computer 24 initiated, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure (Block S106). In an optional fourth step, the WD 22 executes a client application, such as, for example, the client application 92, associated with the host application 50 executed by the host computer 24 (Block s 108).

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example method implemented in a communication system, such as, for example, the communication system of FIG. 1, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system may include a host computer 24, a network node 16 and a WD 22, which may be those described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In a first step of the method, the host computer 24 provides user data (Block S 110). In an optional substep (not shown) the host computer 24 provides the user data by executing a host application, such as, for example, the host application 50. In a second step, the host computer 24 initiates a transmission carrying the user data to the WD 22 (Block S 112). The transmission may pass via the network node 16, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In an optional third step, the WD 22 receives the user data carried in the transmission (Block S 114).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example method implemented in a communication system, such as, for example, the communication system of FIG. 1, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system may include a host computer 24, a network node 16 and a WD 22, which may be those described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In an optional first step of the method, the WD 22 receives input data provided by the host computer 24 (Block S 116). In an optional substep of the first step, the WD 22 executes the client application 92, which provides the user data in reaction to the received input data provided by the host computer 24 (Block SI 18). Additionally or alternatively, in an optional second step, the WD 22 provides user data (Block S120). In an optional substep of the second step, the WD provides the user data by executing a client application, such as, for example, client application 92 (Block S122). In providing the user data, the executed client application 92 may further consider user input received from the user. Regardless of the specific manner in which the user data was provided, the WD 22 may initiate, in an optional third substep, transmission of the user data to the host computer 24 (Block S 124). In a fourth step of the method, the host computer 24 receives the user data transmitted from the WD 22, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure (Block S126).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example method implemented in a communication system, such as, for example, the communication system of FIG. 1, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system may include a host computer 24, a network node 16 and a WD 22, which may be those described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In an optional first step of the method, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure, the network node 16 receives user data from the WD 22 (Block S128). In an optional second step, the network node 16 initiates transmission of the received user data to the host computer 24 (Block S 130). In a third step, the host computer 24 receives the user data carried in the transmission initiated by the network node 16 (Block S132).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an example process in a network node 16 for dynamic settings of thresholds used in dual connectivity according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. One or more blocks described herein may be performed by one or more elements of network node 16 such as by one or more of processing circuitry 68 (including the threshold setting unit 32), processor 70, radio interface 62 and/or communication interface 60. Network node 16 is configured to cause transmission (Block S136) of a first indication to the wireless device 22 which indicates a threshold value to be used by the wireless device 22 for a first attempt to connect (e.g., make a dual connectivity connection) to the second network node 16. Network node 16 is further configured to receive (Block S138) a first message from the wireless device 22 associated with the first attempt of the wireless device 22 to connect to the second network node 16. Network node 16 is further configured to adjust (Block S140) the threshold value in response to receiving the first message. Network node 16 is further configured to cause transmission (Block S142) of a second indication to at least one wireless device 22 (which may be the same or different from the wireless device 22 from which the first message is received), the second indication indicating the adjusted threshold value to be used by the at least one wireless device 22 for a second attempt to connect to the second network node 16.

In one or more embodiments, the adjusting of the first threshold value includes one of: decreasing the first threshold value based on the first message indicating the first attempt succeeded, and increasing the first threshold value based on the first message indicating the first attempt failed. In one or more embodiments, the decreasing of the first threshold value is limited to no less than a minimum value, and the increasing of the first threshold value is limited to no more than a maximum value. In one or more embodiments, the increasing of the first threshold value includes increasing the first threshold value by an up-step quantity, where the up-step quantity is determined based on a target success rate associated with the wireless device 22.

In one or more embodiments, the target success rate is associated with at least one of: a time and date, a network load, a priority class of the wireless device 22, a quality of service, QOS, class of the wireless device 22, a power class of the wireless device 22, and a capability class of the wireless device 22. In one or more embodiments, the decreasing of the first threshold value includes decreasing the first threshold value by a preconfigured down-step quantity. In one or more embodiments, the up-step quantity is determined according to: down-step, where up-step is the up-step quantity, down-step is the down-step quantity, and target success rate is the target success rate associated with the wireless device 22. In one or more embodiments, the wireless device 22 is associated with a group of wireless devices 22 including at least one additional wireless device 22, where the group of wireless devices 22 is associated with the target success rate, and the processing circuitry is further configured to: receive a second message from the at least one additional wireless device 22, where the second message is associated with a first attempt of the at least one additional wireless device 22 to connect to the second network node 16, adjust the threshold value in response to receiving the second message, and to cause transmission of a third indication to the at least one additional wireless device 22 indicating the adjusted threshold value to be used by the at least one additional wireless device 22 for a second attempt to connect to the second network node 16. In one or more embodiments, the target success rate is associated with at least one of: a time and date, a network load, a priority class of the group of wireless devices 22, a quality of service, QOS, class of the group of wireless devices 22, a power class of the group of wireless devices 22, and a capability class of the group of wireless devices 22. In one or more embodiments, the first threshold value is associated with at least one of: a Reference Signal Received Power, RSRP, value, a Reference Signal Received Quality, RSRQ, value, and a Signal to Interference and Noise Ratio, SINR, value. In one or more embodiments, the first network node 16 is associated with a master cell group, and the second network node 16 is associated with a secondary cell group. In one or more embodiments, the first network node 16 is associated with a first radio access technology, RAT, the second network node 16 is associated with a second RAT, and the second RAT is either different from the first RAT or the same as the first RAT

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an example process in a wireless device 22 for dynamic settings of thresholds used in dual connectivity according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. One or more blocks described herein may be performed by one or more elements of wireless device 22 such as by one or more of processing circuitry 84 (including the reporting unit 34), processor 86, radio interface 82 and/or communication interface 60. Wireless device 22 is configured to receive (Block S144) a first indication from the first network node 16 indicating a threshold value to be used by the wireless device for a first attempt to connect (e.g., make a dual connectivity connection) to the second network node 16. Wireless device 22 is further configured to initiate (Block S146) a first attempt to connect to the second network node 16. Wireless device 22 is further configured to cause transmission (Block S148) of a first message to the first network node 16 based on the first attempt of the wireless device to connect to the second network node 16. Wireless device 22 is further configured to, in response to the transmission of the first message, receive (Block S150) a second indication from the first network node 16, the second indication indicating an adjusted threshold value. Wireless device 22 is further configured to initiate (Block S152) a second attempt to connect (e.g., make a dual connectivity connection) to the second network node 16 based on the adjusted threshold value. In one or more embodiments, the adjusted threshold value is one of: a decrease of the first threshold value based on the first message indicating the first attempt succeeded, and an increase of the first threshold value based on the first message indicating the first attempt failed. In one or more embodiments, the decrease of the first threshold value is limited to no less than a minimum value; and the increase of the first threshold value is limited to no more than a maximum value. In one or more embodiments, the first threshold value is increased by an up-step quantity, where the up-step quantity is associated with a target success rate associated with the wireless device. In one or more embodiments, the target success rate is associated with at least one of: a time and date; a network load; a priority class of the wireless device 22; a quality of service, QOS, class of the wireless device 22; a power class of the wireless device 22; and a capability class of the wireless device 22. In one or more embodiments, the first threshold value is decreased by a preconfigured down-step quantity. In one or more embodiments, the association of the up- step quantity to the target success rate is according to: tarqet success rate , up-step = - X down-step,

1-target success rate where up-step is the up-step quantity, down-step is the down-step quantity, and target success rate is the target success rate associated with the wireless device 22. In one or more embodiments, the first threshold value is associated with at least one of: a Reference Signal Received Power, RSRP, value, a Reference Signal Received Quality, RSRQ, value, and a Signal to Interference and Noise Ratio, SINR, value. In one or more embodiments, the first network node 16 is associated with a master cell group, and the second network node 16 is associated with a secondary cell group. In one or more embodiments, the first network node 16 is associated with a first radio access technology, RAT, the second network node 16 is associated with a second RAT, where the second RAT is either different from the first RAT or the same as the first RAT.

Having described the general process flow of arrangements of the disclosure and having provided examples of hardware and software arrangements for implementing the processes and functions of the disclosure, the sections below provide details and examples of arrangements for dynamic settings of thresholds used in dual connectivity.

One or more network node 16 functions described below may be performed/implemented by one or more of threshold setting unit 32, processing circuitry 68, processor 70, etc. One or more wireless device 22 functions described herein may be performed/implemented by one or more of reporting unit 34, processing circuitry 84, processor 86, etc.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide one or more benefits, such as:

Increasing the number of wireless devices 22 that may be dual connected to NR while maintaining the target random-access success rate;

Automating the setting of biThreshold to avoid costly manual tuning; and/or

Maintaining compatibility with existing 3GPP standard, i.e., does not require a change to standards.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented, for example, as a controller (e.g., threshold setting unit 32) in a network node 16 (e.g., an LTE eNB) which may dynamically adjust a threshold (e.g., the biThreshold) to achieve a configurable target of the minimum random access success rate (e.g., targetRachSuccRate). This may allow the network operator to balance the tradeoff between the number of wireless devices 22 which can use NR and the random access success rate (which is inversely proportional to the drop rate due to failed random access), without the need for manual tuning.

It is to be understood that the teachings of the present disclosure may be applied to a variety of thresholds used in a random access and/or dual connectivity scenario, and as such, are not necessarily limited to the biThreshold.

In some embodiments, the target success rate may be associated with/based on/a function of a time and date, for example, at certain times of the day or certain days of the week/month/year/etc., the target success rate may vary based on network operator preferences. Similarly, in some embodiments, the target success rate may be associated with/based on/a function of network traffic levels/loads, traffic conditions, interference levels, etc., which may be based on current metrics, historic metrics, and/or predicted metrics of the network. In some embodiments, the target success rate may be associated with and/or may vary according to wireless device 22 groups/classes/capabilities/etc.

In some embodiments, a network node 16 may receive a series of indications from one or more wireless devices 22 regarding random access connection attempts (e.g., dual connectivity connection attempts made to a network node 16 of a SCG), and network node 16 may adjust one or more thresholds and/or target success rates based on the multiple indications. In some embodiments, when network node 16 adjusts a threshold, the adjusted threshold may be applied to one or more wireless devices 22, e.g., all wireless devices 22 a cell or one or more subsets of wireless devices 22 in a cell (e.g., wireless devices 22 associated with a particular grouping, quality of service level, priority class, power class, capability class, etc.). For example, a new wireless device 22 joining a cell may receive a threshold indication from the network node 16 which may be based on previous threshold adjustments, e.g., based on other wireless devices 22 already in the cell.

In some embodiments, the network node 16 may optionally reconfigure the wireless device 22 with an adjusted threshold value, or may decline to reconfigure the wireless device 22 with the adjusted threshold value, for example, to reduce signaling overhead. In some embodiments, network node 16 may periodically (e.g., every 1 millisecond, every 1 minute, etc.) send updated threshold values to the wireless device 22, and/or may send the updated threshold value immediately after or shortly after adjusting/updating the threshold value.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure may be in accordance with the following example algorithm.

In the following example algorithm, one or more configurable parameters may include: targetRachSuccRate: configurable parameter 6 [0,1] that specifies the minimum random-access success rate; downStep: a configurable parameter specifying the amount of decrease in biThreshold; upStep: the amount of increase in biThreshold, which may be according to the following equation: tagetRachSuccRate upStep = X downStep

1 - tagetRachSuccRate maxBIThreshold: a configurable parameter specifying maximum biThreshold; and minBIThreshold: a configurable parameter specifying minimum biThreshold.

The output of the example algorithm includes the determined biThreshold value.

The internal state of the example algorithm includes the biThreshold value.

The example algorithm executes as follows:

After the wireless device 22 is successfully configured with NR SCG which is determined by receiving scg-ConfigResponseNR-rl5 in NR RRCReconfigurationComplete RRC message: blThreshold:= biThreshold - downStep; and blThreshold:= min(max(bl Threshold, minBl Threshold), maxBIThreshold).

If the network node 16 (e.g., eNB) detects a SCG addition failure due to random-access failure, which may happen when the network node 16 (eNB) receives a SCGFailurelnformationNR RRC message with failureType set to: randomAccessProblem blThreshold:= biThreshold + upStep + downStep; blThreshold:= min(max(bl Threshold, minBIThreshold), maxBIThreshold); and

Return: biThreshold (the caller of this algorithm may use a quantized version of biThreshold according to supported biThreshold values).

In the long-term, for sufficiently small value of downStep, the algorithm will result in a random-access success rate that is greater than or equal to targetRachSuccRate, as long as it is feasible. The algorithm above may be implemented using an integral controller due to its simplicity and efficacy. More advanced controllers may be used to implement the algorithm above in straightforward manner, such as proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller. In accordance with the above algorithm, biThreshold increases when there is a randomaccess failure to increase the signal quality of the users that can access NR to the random-access success rate. Conversely, biThreshold decreases when there is no indication of random-access failure which may increase the number of users that can access NR.

In some embodiments, such as the embodiment described above, a network operator may classify the users in multiple M priority classes (e.g., based on user subscription package, user traffic bearers, user QoS requirements, wireless device 22 power class, wireless device 22 capability, etc.), and may apply the algorithm M times for each set of user class, where each algorithm-run can have its own parameter settings of targetRachSuccRate, downStep, minB l Threshold, and maxBIThreshol. For example, a higher priority wireless device 22 group/set may have a lower targetRachSuccRate compared to a lower priority wireless device 22 group/set, which will result in lower bl Threshold, thus allowing easier access and/or increasing the number of high priority wireless devices 22 that can access NR.

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure may be evaluated using simulations. For example, wireless devices 22 may be simulated arriving randomly with an inter-arrival time that is modelled as an exponential random variable with a mean of 10 seconds. The RSRP signal received from a network node 16 (e.g., a gNB) to each wireless device 22 may be modelled as a uniform random variable between, e.g., -140 and -70 dBm. The true random-access success probability may be modelled as sigmoid function as follows:

Three schemes may be simulated:

Scheme 1 with tar getRachSuccRate=Q.95, downS tep=0.01;

Scheme 2 with tar getRachSuccRate=Q.95, downStep=0.1; and

Scheme 3 with a fixed B 1 threshold = -140 dBm.

For a given scheme, for each wireless device 22, its RSRP is compared to the B 1 threshold. If it is larger than the B 1 threshold, then the wireless device 22 attempts random access. Based on the wireless device 22’ s RSRP, a binomial random variable maybe sampled with p equal to the success rate of the true random-access probability given by (Eq. 1). All attempted random access may be logged (e.g., indicating whether it is successful or not), which may then be used to compute the random access success rate. FIG. 9 is a graph of the random-access success rate for different schemes along with the target success rate, and shows the simulation results for all three schemes. FIG. 10 is a graph of B 1 threshold in dBM as a function of time.

Referring back to FIG. 9, FIG. 9 demonstrates that Scheme 3 using a fixed threshold of -140 dBm results in much lower random success rate (~0.7) compared to Schemes 1 and 2 that achieve the target success rate of 0.95. Depending on a variety of factors, the fixed B l threshold may achieve different success rates; however, Schemes 1 and 2 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure may be able to always achieve the target success rate as long as it is feasible. It should be noted as well that using a smaller downS tep=0.01 may result in slower convergence to the target compared to downStep=0.1; however, as shown in FIG. 10, using a lower downStep may result in a smoother B IThreshold value

As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the concepts described herein may be embodied as a method, data processing system, computer program product and/or computer storage media storing an executable computer program. Accordingly, the concepts described herein may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects all generally referred to herein as a “circuit” or “module.” Any process, step, action and/or functionality described herein may be performed by, and/or associated to, a corresponding module, which may be implemented in software and/or firmware and/or hardware. Furthermore, the disclosure may take the form of a computer program product on a tangible computer usable storage medium having computer program code embodied in the medium that can be executed by a computer. Any suitable tangible computer readable medium may be utilized including hard disks, CD-ROMs, electronic storage devices, optical storage devices, or magnetic storage devices.

Some embodiments are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, systems and computer program products. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer (to thereby create a special purpose computer), special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable memory or storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

It is to be understood that the functions/acts noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the operational illustrations. For example, two blocks shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved. Although some of the diagrams include arrows on communication paths to show a primary direction of communication, it is to be understood that communication may occur in the opposite direction to the depicted arrows.

Computer program code for carrying out operations of the concepts described herein may be written in an object oriented programming language such as Python, Java® or C++. However, the computer program code for carrying out operations of the disclosure may also be written in conventional procedural programming languages, such as the "C" programming language. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).

Many different embodiments have been disclosed herein, in connection with the above description and the drawings. It will be understood that it would be unduly repetitious and obfuscating to literally describe and illustrate every combination and subcombination of these embodiments. Accordingly, all embodiments can be combined in any way and/or combination, and the present specification, including the drawings, shall be construed to constitute a complete written description of all combinations and subcombinations of the embodiments described herein, and of the manner and process of making and using them, and shall support claims to any such combination or subcombination.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein are not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein above. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the scope of the following claims.