Systems and methods for dual-connectivity split-bearer packet management

A method for dual-connectivity, split-bearer traffic management for a base station, wherein the base station comprises:

• at least one centralized unit (CU) comprising a centralized unit control-plane (CU-CP) and at least one centralized unit user-plane (CU-UP);
• at least one distributed unit (DU) coupled to the at least one CU-UP, wherein the at least one DU is coupled to one or more radio units (RUs) configured as a first cell group to establish a first radio link for communicating with user equipment (UE) within a wireless coverage area;
• and an eNodeB coupled to the at least one CU-UP, wherein the eNodeB comprises one or more radio points (RPs) configured as a second cell group to establish a second radio link for communicating with user equipment (UE) within the wireless coverage area, the method comprising:
• calculating a first packet delivery delay based on feedback received from a radio link control (RLC) entity of the eNodeB;
• calculating a second packet delivery delay based on feedback received from an RLC entity of the DU;
• and
• selectively enqueuing Packet Data Convergence Protocol PDCP packets to either an RLC Queue server of the eNodeB or an RLC Queue server of the DU based on whether the first or the second packet delivery delay is a lesser delay.