Connectionless Data Transmission in RRC INACTIVE State
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G network technologies require extensive signaling sequences for transitioning from the RRC INACTIVE state to the CONNECTED state, which is inefficient for small and non-urgent data transmissions due to high battery consumption.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves the UE initiating one or more data transmissions in the INACTIVE state without establishing an RRC connection, by restoring an INACTIVE AS context, establishing UL resources, and performing connectionless data transmissions based on preconfigured conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UE transitions from RRC INACTIVE state to CONNECTED state for data transmission, then reliable data communication is achieved, but battery consumption increases due to extensive signaling sequences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential data transmission function from the complete RRC connection establishment process. The UE can transmit small data packets in the RRC INACTIVE state by using pre-configured resources without performing the full RRC connection setup procedure, thereby separating the data transmission function from the connection management overhead and reducing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The network pre-configures uplink resources and transmission parameters for the UE while in RRC INACTIVE state. This preliminary configuration allows the UE to immediately transmit data without undergoing the time-consuming and energy-intensive connection establishment process, as the necessary resources are already prepared in advance.
2Reliability
If the UE performs RRC connection setup for each data transmission, then data transmission reliability is ensured, but transmission latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network pre-configures uplink resources, transmission parameters, and security contexts for the UE in advance while the UE is in RRC INACTIVE state. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming connection setup procedures when data needs to be transmitted, significantly reducing latency while maintaining reliability through pre-established security and resource allocation.
3Productivity
If the UE maintains RRC CONNECTED state for small data transmission, then data transfer is efficient, but network resources are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the data transmission capability from the RRC CONNECTED state requirement. The UE can perform small data transmissions in the RRC INACTIVE state by utilizing pre-configured uplink resources and maintaining only essential context information, thereby eliminating the need to maintain full RRC connection state and associated network resources for small data transfers.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of maintaining the complete RRC CONNECTED state with all its overhead for small data transmissions, the patent applies partial action by allowing data transmission with only the essential minimum configuration (pre-configured uplink resources and security context), using just enough resources necessary for small packet transmission without the excessive resource allocation of full connection mode.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods are provided for connectionless data transfer. In one novel aspect, the UE in INACTIVE state initiates one or more data transmissions without RRC connection upon determining one or more preconfigured transmission conditions. The UE restores an INACTIVE AS context, establishes UL resources, and performs connectionless data transmissions. The UE monitors one or more preconfigured fallback conditions for fallback procedures and monitors stop conditions for suspension/stopping procedures. In one embodiment, the UL resources for the one or more data transmission are preconfigured configuration grant (CG) resources from the network. In one embodiment, the preconfigured UL resource is used for the data transmission only when the TA is valid. When the TA is not valid, the UE performs RA procedure and either uses the preconfigure resource or continues the one or more data transmissions by monitoring PDCCH with C-RNTI.