Explain in detail with examples the concept of EN-DC Secondary Node Addition Procedure?
EN-DC (E-UTRAN New Radio – Dual Connectivity) secondary node addition refers to the process of adding a 5G NR (New Radio) cell as a secondary node to a connected LTE (Long-Term Evolution) cell, which serves as the primary node.
This dual connectivity setup enables the User Equipment (UE) 📱 to simultaneously connect to both 4G and 5G networks, allowing for more efficient use of network resources and improved overall performance.
The process of EN-DC secondary node addition involves the following steps:
1. Measurement Configuration 📏:
The primary LTE cell configures the UE to measure the signal strength and quality of nearby 5G NR cells. The UE then reports these measurements back to the network.
Example: Your 5G-capable smartphone 📱 measures the signal strength of nearby 5G NR cells 📡 while still connected to the 4G network.
2. Secondary Node Addition Decision 🧠:
Based on the measurement reports, the LTE cell decides whether to add a 5G NR cell as a secondary node. Factors such as signal strength, network load, and user requirements are considered.
Example: The network determines that adding a 5G NR cell 📶 will improve your smartphone’s 📱 performance and decides to establish a secondary node.
3. RRC Reconfiguration 🔄:
The primary LTE cell sends an RRC (Radio Resource Control) Reconfiguration message to the UE, instructing it to configure and establish a connection with the selected 5G NR cell.
Example: Your smartphone 📱 receives instructions from the LTE network to establish a connection with the 5G NR cell 📡.
4. Dual Connectivity Setup ⚙️:
The UE establishes a connection with the 5G NR cell as a secondary node while maintaining its connection with the LTE cell as the primary node.
Example: Your smartphone 📱 successfully connects to both the 4G LTE and 5G NR cells, enabling seamless use of resources from both networks.
By leveraging EN-DC secondary node addition, users can enjoy faster data speeds 🚀, lower latency, and enhanced connectivity, as their devices can access resources from both 4G and 5G networks simultaneously.