Access Stratum Unicast Connection Release for Resource Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current unicast connection detection and release mechanisms in device-to-device systems, particularly in vehicle-to-everything communication, are inefficient and lack clear access stratum connection maintenance procedures, leading to resource wastage.

Innovation Solution

The proposed method involves the access stratum of a terminal device sending indication information to the upper layer to actively detect unicast connections, using timers and identifier information to initiate keep-alive procedures and release requests, ensuring flexible detection and release of unicast connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the upper layer performs unicast connection detection using keep-alive mechanism, then connection detection capability is provided, but access stratum connection maintenance is not supported leading to resource wastage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection detection capabilityVSAvoidresource wastage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides connection management into two distinct layers: upper layer (V2X layer) for connection establishment and release, and access stratum (AS) for connection maintenance and detection. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific functions efficiently, with the AS layer actively detecting connection status and releasing resources at the lower layer to prevent waste while the upper layer maintains logical connection management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If unicast connection release is not clearly defined at access stratum, then upper layer can manage connections, but resource release efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection management flexibilityVSAvoidresource release efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the upper layer sends release indication information to the access stratum, which then actively releases the unicast connection. This intermediary approach allows the upper layer to initiate release decisions while the access stratum executes the actual resource release, improving efficiency without compromising management flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The access stratum performs preliminary connection detection and status verification before executing the release operation. By proactively checking connection status and preparing release actions in advance, the system ensures efficient resource release when the upper layer decides to terminate a connection, avoiding delays and resource wastage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If access stratum actively indicates upper layer to detect unicast connection, then detection flexibility is improved, but additional signaling is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection flexibilityVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the connection detection function into the existing keep-alive mechanism at the upper layer. Instead of creating a separate detection system, the access stratum utilizes the upper layer's existing keep-alive messages to trigger connection status verification. This merging approach provides detection flexibility while minimizing additional signaling overhead by reusing established communication channels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3952353B1Method and apparatus for releasing connections
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3952353B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3952353B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3952353B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

This application provides a connection release method and apparatus. An upper layer of an access stratum of a first terminal device sends a release request message and first identifier information to a second terminal device through the access stratum, where the release request message is used to request the second terminal device to release a unicast connection, and the first identifier information is used to identify the unicast connection; and the access stratum of the first terminal device obtains release indication information, so that the access stratum of the first terminal device searches for the corresponding unicast connection based on the first identifier information, and releases, based on the release indication information, a configuration of the access stratum corresponding to the unicast connection, to release the access stratum, and help avoid a waste of resources and save energy of the terminal device.