Adaptive RRC Connection Release for UE Power Saving

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communications, particularly in 5G NR, the RRC inactivity timer expiration leads to unnecessary power consumption in user equipment (UE) due to delayed RRC connection release during periods of zero uplink and downlink data, which can occur during scenarios like secondary cell group setup to SCG release, despite ongoing RRC procedures.

Innovation Solution

Implementing RRC inactivity timer online learning and adaptive RRC connection release mechanisms in UE, including maintaining a FIFO queue of data throughput durations, calculating a learned RRC inactivity timer duration, and triggering RRC connection release based on predefined thresholds and conditions, such as zero throughput exceeding the learned timer duration plus a threshold, with adaptive UE-triggering methods to manage power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the network delays RRC connection release during ongoing RRC procedures (such as SCG setup to SCG release), then the RRC connection can be maintained for potential data transmission, but unnecessary power consumption occurs on the UE side when uplink and downlink throughput is zero

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveRRC connection availabilityVSAvoidUE power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The UE proactively triggers RRC connection release before the network would normally do so by monitoring throughput and comparing against the RRC inactivity timer. When zero throughput duration exceeds the timer value, the UE initiates release procedures in advance, avoiding unnecessary power consumption while ensuring the connection is released only when truly idle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The UE continuously monitors uplink and downlink throughput and uses this feedback to dynamically determine whether to trigger RRC connection release. The throughput monitoring provides real-time information about data activity, enabling the UE to make informed decisions about connection release timing based on actual network conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If the RRC inactivity timer is set to a fixed predefined value, then the connection release timing is simple to manage, but it cannot adapt to varying network conditions and traffic patterns leading to suboptimal power saving

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveRRC timer management simplicityVSAvoidUE power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The RRC inactivity timer value is changed from a static predefined parameter to a dynamic value that the UE can adaptively adjust based on monitored throughput conditions. The timer becomes flexible, allowing the UE to optimize connection release timing according to actual traffic patterns and network conditions, thereby improving power saving performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12532382B2Power saving by RRC inactivity timer online learning and adaptive RRC connection release

Publication Date: 2026.01.20 MEDIATEK SINGAPORE PTE LTD

AI summary

Techniques pertaining to power saving by radio resource control (RRC) inactivity timer online learning and adaptive RRC connection release in wireless communications are described. A user equipment (UE) determines to trigger a radio resource control (RRC) connection release with a network responsive to a condition being met. The UE then triggers the RRC connection release. The condition involves a duration of zero throughput being longer than a sum of a RRC inactivity timer duration plus a first threshold.