Base Station Terminal ID Tracking for Idle and Inactive States
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G networks struggle to track terminals beyond a connected state, limiting the network's ability to determine the location of other terminals in a tracking area (TA) and lacking information on terminals in idle or inactive states.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for tracking terminals by transmitting signaling to terminals in a coverage area, enabling them to transmit their IDs and receive IDs from others, with configuration information for transmission and reception, and reporting stored IDs to determine terminal locations and identities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the network tracks terminals only at the tracking area (TA) level in connected state, then the core network can determine the TA location of a terminal, but the network cannot obtain information on other terminals around the terminal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a base station as an intermediary entity between terminals and the core network. The base station collects terminal IDs from multiple terminals in its coverage area and forwards this information to the core network, enabling the network to obtain terminal location information without directly interacting with each terminal. This resolves the contradiction by adding an intermediate layer that aggregates information locally.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by having terminals in idle or inactive states proactively transmit their IDs to the base station in advance, before any tracking query is needed. The base station stores these IDs and prepares location information ahead of time, so when the core network needs terminal location data, it is already available without requiring complex real-time tracking operations.
2Loss of information
If the network uses traditional TA-level tracking, then the tracking process is simple, but the network cannot determine the location of other terminals in a tracking area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling terminals to autonomously transmit their own terminal IDs to the base station without requiring network initiation or complex coordination. Each terminal independently performs the action of sending its identifier, which the base station then collects and reports to the core network. This self-service mechanism efficiently gathers terminal identity information from multiple terminals simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by establishing a reporting mechanism where the base station sends collected terminal ID information back to the core network. This feedback loop ensures the network receives up-to-date terminal location data, enabling the network to determine which terminals are present in each tracking area without requiring direct queries to each terminal.
3Loss of information
If the base station requests terminal IDs from all terminals, then complete tracking information is obtained, but signaling overhead and network resources are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by having only terminals that need to be tracked (those in idle or inactive states requiring location information) transmit their IDs to the base station, rather than requiring all terminals to continuously report. This selective approach obtains sufficient tracking information without the excessive signaling overhead of universal terminal reporting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by establishing scheduled opportunities for terminals to transmit their IDs to the base station, rather than requiring continuous or on-demand transmission. Terminals transmit their information at predetermined intervals or when entering specific states, reducing signaling energy consumption while maintaining adequate tracking coverage over time.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for tracking a terminal, performed by a base station, includes: transmitting a first signaling to at least one terminal in a coverage area, in which the at least one terminal transmits its own terminal ID in accordance with the first signaling.