Base Station Location Reporting for 5G Inactive Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G communication systems, there is a lack of effective methods for reporting location information of terminal devices in an inactive state, as the core network control plane network element and camping gNB may not be notified of the device's current base station, leading to challenges in obtaining accurate location information.
Innovation Solution
A method where a first base station receives an instruction from the core network device to send a second message to a second base station, which is currently serving the terminal device, to report its location information, allowing the core network to obtain the location in a timely manner, even when the terminal device moves within a RAN-based notification area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the terminal device moves within the RAN-based notification area without notification, then the terminal device can move freely in the inactive state, but the core network control plane network element and camping gNB cannot obtain the current serving base station information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a two-stage reporting mechanism where the serving base station first reports location information to the camping base station, which then forwards it to the core network. This intermediary reporting path enables location tracking without requiring direct notification from the terminal device, resolving the contradiction between mobility freedom and location information availability.
2Loss of information
If the core network requests location information from the camping gNB, then the core network can obtain location information, but the signaling overhead increases and may trigger unnecessary paging operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the serving base station proactively report location information to the camping base station before the core network needs it. This advance reporting eliminates the need for reactive signaling when the core network requests location information, reducing signaling overhead and avoiding unnecessary paging operations.
3Speed
If the camping gNB maintains context information for the terminal device, then the gNB can quickly reestablish connection, but the gNB cannot determine which base station is currently serving the terminal device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the information management function by separating the terminal context information (maintained by camping gNB for fast reconnection) from the location information (reported by serving base station). This segmentation allows the camping gNB to maintain context for quick connection reestablishment while the serving base station separately provides current location identification through the reporting mechanism.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide a location information reporting method and apparatus, and relate to the field of communications technologies, to provide a method for reporting location information of a terminal device to a core network control plane network element in time when the terminal device is in an inactive state. The solution includes: receiving, by a first base station, a first message sent by a core network device, where the first message includes first instruction information used to instruct to obtain location information of a terminal device, and the first base station and the core network device have a control plane connection established for the terminal device; and sending, by the first base station, a second message to a second base station, where the second message includes second instruction information, the second instruction information is used to instruct to obtain the location information of the terminal device, and the second base station is configured to provide a service for the terminal device at a current moment. The method provided in this application is applicable to a scenario in which the core network device needs to obtain a location of the terminal device when the terminal device switches from a connected state to an idle state.