5G SDT Context Release for RRC Inactive Resource Utilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

In 5G communication systems, terminal devices in the RRC inactive state face inefficiencies due to increased signaling overhead, resource waste, and high energy consumption when transmitting small data services, as network devices fail to timely release contexts, leading to low resource utilization.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method for access network devices to detect and timely release access stratum contexts based on small data transmission failure information, reducing signaling interactions and optimizing resource utilization by integrating distributed and central units to manage context release.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If the terminal device transmits small data by using preconfigured uplink resource in RRC inactive state, then data transmission delay is reduced, but resource utilization is low because network device cannot release context in timely manner

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission delayVSAvoidresource utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The network device implements SDT failure detection mechanisms to obtain feedback information about terminal device transmission status. When SDT failure is detected, the network device releases the AS context and notifies the core network device to release NAS context, ensuring timely context release and improving resource utilization while maintaining low transmission delay

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the network device stores terminal device context after SDT failure, then context release timing is delayed, but resource waste increases and resource utilization decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontext management reliabilityVSAvoidresource waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The network device uses SDT failure detection to obtain accurate feedback about terminal device status. Based on this feedback, the system implements timely context release at both AS and NAS layers, preventing resource waste while maintaining reliable context management through consistent state synchronization across network devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If the terminal device performs complete RRC resume procedure to enter RRC connected state, then data transmission can be completed, but signaling overhead increases and energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission completionVSAvoidterminal device energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements SDT (Small Data Transmission) mechanism that allows terminal devices to transmit small data packets in RRC inactive state using preconfigured uplink resources without performing complete RRC resume procedure. This partial action approach transmits only the necessary data without full connection establishment, reducing signaling overhead and energy consumption while maintaining data transmission capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4440193B1Communication method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4440193B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4440193B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4440193B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This application provides a communication method and apparatus, and relates to the communication field, to resolve a problem that resource utilization is low because a network device cannot release a context of a terminal device in a timely manner when an SDT failure occurs, thereby improving resource utilization. The method includes: obtaining small data transmission SDT failure information; releasing an access stratum AS context of a terminal device based on the SDT failure information; and sending a first request message to a core network device. The first request message includes the SDT failure information, and the first request message is used to request the core network device to release a non-access stratum NAS context of the terminal device.