Control-Plane Only UE Association for Wireless Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing grouped UE communication systems are inefficient in addressing control plane aspects, leading to unnecessary complexity and system architecture security issues, despite being sufficient for user plane aspects.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a control-plane only association for UE aggregation, where the RAN efficiently manages group UEs by coordinating handover operations and radio resource management decisions, using a standardized UE aggregation approach that reduces complexity while maintaining performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If existing grouped UE communication systems are used, then user plane aspects are sufficient, but control plane aspects become inefficient and complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser plane efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol plane complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the UE aggregation mechanism into two independent parts: user plane aggregation (data transmission) and control plane association (signaling). By separating these functions, the control plane can operate with simpler, standardized procedures while the user plane benefits from efficient grouped communication. The control plane uses standardized 3GPP TS procedures for NAS signaling, while the user plane implements aggregation at the data layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the control plane association function from the user plane aggregation mechanism. Instead of having the control plane handle both aggregation and signaling, the control plane only handles standardized 3GPP TS procedures for NAS signaling, while user plane aggregation is handled separately at the data layer. This extraction reduces control plane complexity while maintaining user plane efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If existing grouped UE communication systems are used, then user plane aspects are sufficient, but system architecture security issues arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser plane efficiencyVSAvoidsystem architecture security

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer for control plane association that uses standardized 3GPP TS procedures for NAS signaling. This intermediary layer acts as a mediator between the UE and the network, ensuring secure and standardized communication. The intermediary controls the association formation and maintains security through established protocols, preventing direct unsecured connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If control plane association is implemented, then complexity is reduced, but handover coordination becomes more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassociation management complexityVSAvoidhandover coordination

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the network device receives information about associated UEs and uses this feedback to coordinate handovers. The network device maintains awareness of which UEs are associated and uses this information to make coordinated handover decisions, ensuring seamless transitions while managing complexity through automated feedback-driven coordination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20230076746A1User equipment association

Publication Date: 2023.03.09 APPLE INC

AI summary

The present application relates to devices and components including apparatus, systems, and methods for control-plane signaling for UE associations in wireless networks.