Network Nodes, Communication System and Methods for Handling Secondary Cell Group Operation Mode in a Wireless Communication Network

A method performed in a first network node for handling an operation mode change of a second network node for a communication device in a wireless communication network, wherein the communication device is configured with multi-radio dual connectivity (MR-DC) with the first network node having a first cell group and the second network node having a second cell group, the method comprising:

• receiving a request from the second network node for a change of an operation mode of the second cell group and/or a change of a configuration of the second cell group;
• determining whether to accept or reject the request for the change of the operation mode and/or the change of the configuration;
• and
• performing one of the following:
• transmitting to the communication device a message including a reconfiguration or command to change the configuration of the second cell group and/or the operation mode of the second cell group, if it is determined that the change of the operation mode of the second cell group and/or the change of the configuration of the second cell group is accepted;
• or
• transmitting a response to the second network node with an indication indicating a rejection reason, if it is determined to reject the request for the change of the operation mode.

A first network node for handling an operation mode change of a second network node for a communication device in a wireless communication network, wherein the communication device is configured with multi-radio dual connectivity (MR-DC) with the first network node having a first cell group and the second network node having a second cell group, the first network node comprising:

• a processor and a memory, said memory containing computer program code executable by the processor whereby the first network node is configured to:
• receive a request from the second network node for a change of an operation mode of the second cell group and/or a change of a configuration of the second cell group;
• determine whether to accept or reject the request for the change of the operation mode and/or the change of the configuration;
• and
• perform one of the following:
• transmit to the communication device a message including a reconfiguration or command to change the configuration of the second cell group and/or the operation mode of the second cell group, if it is determined that the change of the operation mode of the second cell group and/or the change of the configuration of the second cell group is accepted;
• or
• transmit a response to the second network node with an indication indicating a rejection reason, if it is determined to reject the request for the change of the operation mode.

A second network node for handling an operation mode change for a communication device in a wireless communication network, wherein the communication device is configured with multi-radio dual connectivity (MR-DC) with a first network node having a first cell group and the second network node having a second cell group, the second network node comprising:

• a processor and a memory, said memory containing computer program code executable by the processor whereby the second network node is configured to:
• transmit a request to the first network node for a change of an operation mode and/or a change of a configuration;
• and
• receive a response from the first network node with an indication indicating a rejection reason, if it is determined by the first network node that the request for the change of the operation mode and/or the change of the configuration is rejected.

A method for handling an operation mode change for a communication device in a wireless communication network, wherein the communication device is configured with multi-radio dual connectivity (MR-DC) with a first network node having a first cell group and a second network node having a second cell group, the method comprising:

• transmitting a request by the second network node to the first network node for a change of an operation mode of the second cell group and/or a change of a configuration of the second cell group;
• receiving the request by the first network node from the second network node;
• determining by the first network node whether to accept or reject the request for the change of the operation mode and/or the change of the configuration;
• and
• performing one of the following:
• transmitting by the first network node to the communication device a message including a reconfiguration or command to change the configuration of the second cell group and/or the operation mode of the second cell group, if it is determined that the change of the operation mode of the second cell group and/or the change of the configuration of the second cell group is accepted;
• or
• transmitting by the first network node a response to the second network node with an indication indicating a rejection reason, if it is determined to reject the request for the change of the operation mode.

A communication system for handling an operation mode change for a communication device in a wireless communication network, the system comprising:

• a first network node having a first cell group, and
• a second network node having a second cell group, the second network node configured to transmit a request to the first network node for a change of an operation mode of the second cell group and/or a change of a configuration of the second cell group,
• wherein the communication device is configured with multi-radio dual connectivity (MR-DC) with the first network node and the second network node,
• wherein the first network node is configured to:
• receive the request from the second network node;
• determine whether to accept or reject the request for the change of the operation mode and/or the change of the configuration;
• and
• perform one of the following:
• transmit to the communication device a message including a reconfiguration or command to change the configuration of the second cell group and/or the operation mode of the second cell group, if it is determined that the change of the operation mode of the second cell group and/or the change of the configuration of the second cell group is accepted;
• or
• transmit a response to the second network node with an indication indicating a rejection reason, if it is determined to reject the request for the change of the operation mode.