Anchor gNB UE Context Management for 5G RNA Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G wireless communication systems, the periodic RAN-based notification area update (RNAU) leads to unnecessary signaling and latency as the UE context is repeatedly fetched between base stations, even when no data transmission occurs, causing inefficiencies in network management.
Innovation Solution
A method where the anchor gNB selectively decides whether to transfer the UE context to the new gNB during periodic RNAU, skipping the UE context fetch when the UE moves back to the RRC_INACTIVE state, and uses RRC messages to maintain the UE in the RRC_INACTIVE state, thereby reducing unnecessary signaling and latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UE context is fetched from the anchor gNB to the new gNB during periodic RNAU, then the UE can be properly served by the new gNB, but unnecessary signaling and additional latency are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the UE context transfer decision adaptive rather than static. The anchor gNB dynamically decides whether to transfer UE context based on real-time conditions such as whether the UE has actual data to transmit and whether the new gNB can properly serve the UE. This dynamic approach avoids unnecessary context transfers during periodic RNAU when no data transmission is needed, thereby reducing signaling latency while maintaining service continuity when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of UE context transfer by introducing conditional logic that modifies the transfer behavior based on different scenarios. When the RRC establishment cause indicates periodic RNAU and the UE has no data to transmit, the anchor gNB changes the transfer parameter to 'no transfer'. When data transmission is needed or the new gNB cannot properly serve the UE, the parameter changes to 'transfer'. This parameter change approach resolves the contradiction by avoiding unnecessary signaling while ensuring service continuity when needed.
2Reliability
If the UE context is transferred during periodic RNAU, then the new gNB can manage the UE properly, but the network efficiency decreases due to repeated context transfers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the UE context transfer decision adaptive rather than static. The anchor gNB dynamically decides whether to transfer UE context based on real-time conditions such as whether the UE has actual data to transmit and whether the new gNB can properly serve the UE. This dynamic approach avoids unnecessary context transfers during periodic RNAU when no data transmission is needed, thereby reducing signaling latency while maintaining service continuity when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the unnecessary UE context transfer operation from the periodic RNAU procedure. By identifying that periodic RNAU without data transmission does not require context transfer, the patent extracts and removes this unnecessary step from the standard procedure. This extraction is achieved through conditional logic that checks whether context transfer is actually needed before executing it, thereby improving network efficiency while preserving the essential functionality of UE management.
3Loss of time
If the UE remains in RRC_INACTIVE state during periodic RNAU, then signaling is minimized, but the UE cannot perform data transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the UE context transfer decision adaptive rather than static. The anchor gNB dynamically decides whether to transfer UE context based on real-time conditions such as whether the UE has actual data to transmit and whether the new gNB can properly serve the UE. This dynamic approach avoids unnecessary context transfers during periodic RNAU when no data transmission is needed, thereby reducing signaling latency while maintaining service continuity when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of UE context transfer by introducing conditional logic that modifies the transfer behavior based on different scenarios. When the RRC establishment cause indicates periodic RNAU and the UE has no data to transmit, the anchor gNB changes the transfer parameter to 'no transfer'. When data transmission is needed or the new gNB cannot properly serve the UE, the parameter changes to 'transfer'. This parameter change approach resolves the contradiction by avoiding unnecessary signaling while ensuring service continuity when needed.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided are a method of managing UE context and a device supporting the method. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for managing UE context in a wireless communication system includes: receiving a UE context request message including a radio resource control (RRC) establishment cause from a second BS, wherein the first BS and the second BS are located in a same radio access network (RAN)-based notification area (RNA); and when the RRC establishment cause is related to RNA update, transmitting a UE context response message to the second BS, wherein the UE context response message piggybacks a RRC message requesting a UE to move to a RRC inactive state.