Access Network Device Context Information Storage Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communications systems, access network devices face high memory costs due to storing large amounts of context information for terminals, especially when supporting a large number of terminals.

Innovation Solution

The method involves a first access network device determining the need for context information and requesting it from a core network device without locally storing it, using a request message to obtain context information such as handover restriction lists, and switching the terminal from a light connected state to a connected state using the received information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the access network device stores context information of terminals locally, then the terminal can be served efficiently, but the storage space and memory costs of the access network device increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal service efficiencyVSAvoidstorage space and memory costs
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the context information storage function from the access network device and relocates it to the core network device. The access network device no longer stores context information locally, instead requesting it from the core network device when needed. This extraction resolves the contradiction by maintaining terminal service efficiency while eliminating the storage burden on access network devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The core network device acts as an intermediary that stores and manages context information for multiple access network devices. When the access network device needs context information, it requests it from the core network device, which then provides the information. This intermediary approach allows efficient terminal service without requiring local storage at the access network device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If one access network device supports a large quantity of terminals, then network coverage is improved, but the memory costs of the access network device become very high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of supported terminalsVSAvoidmemory costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent shifts the storage dimension from local (access network device) to remote (core network device). By moving context information storage to the core network device, the system can support a large quantity of terminals across multiple access network devices without each device bearing the full memory burden. This dimensional shift resolves the contradiction between supporting many terminals and controlling memory costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Quantity of substance

If the access network device obtains context information from the core network device on demand, then storage costs are reduced, but additional signaling communication is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage spaceVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The core network device pre-stores context information in a readily accessible format before it is needed by access network devices. When the access network device requests context information, the core network device can immediately provide it without requiring complex processing or retrieval operations. This preliminary preparation reduces the signaling overhead by making information delivery efficient.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3531782B1Information sending method, device and system
Publication Date: 2022.10.26 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3531782B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2A
  • EP3531782B1 patent drawingFigure 2B~2C
  • EP3531782B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention provide an information sending method, and a first access network device, a core network device, and a terminal that are based on the method. The method is applied to a communications system. The communications system includes a first access network device and a core network device, and a connection for a terminal exists between the first access network device and the core network device. The method includes: determining, by the first access network device, that context information of the terminal needs to be obtained; then sending, by the first access network device, a request message to the core network device, where the request message is used to request the context information of the terminal; and sending, by the core network device, a response message to the first access network device, where the response message carries the context information of the terminal. In the embodiments of the present invention, when determining that the context information of the terminal needs to be obtained, the first access network device may request the context information of the terminal from the core network device without storing the context information of the terminal in advance. Therefore, storage space of the access network device can be saved, and memory costs of the access network device can be reduced.