RRC State Transitions Using Core Network Assistance for Deferred Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing radio resource control (RRC) states for user equipment (UE) during deferred positioning sessions, particularly in 5G networks, leading to inefficient power consumption and resource utilization.

Innovation Solution

Implementing core network assistance information to transition UE to RRC inactive or idle states based on deferred location request information and capabilities, enabling deferred positioning procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the UE remains in RRC connected state during deferred positioning sessions, then positioning accuracy and network control are maintained, but power consumption increases and resource utilization decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically transitions the UE between RRC connected, inactive, and idle states based on positioning requirements. The network can configure the UE to enter inactive or idle states during deferred positioning sessions, and selectively activate connected state only when positioning measurements are needed, thus adapting the RRC state to the actual operational requirements rather than maintaining a fixed state

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic positioning sessions where the UE alternates between active positioning measurements and inactive/idle states. The network configures periodic positioning opportunities, allowing the UE to remain in low-power states between positioning events while still achieving accurate positioning over time through these periodic measurements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Use of energy by moving object

If the UE transitions to RRC inactive or idle states for power saving, then power consumption decreases, but positioning response time and network control capability worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidpositioning response time

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring positioning parameters, measurement opportunities, and reporting criteria while the UE is in inactive or idle state. The network provides assistance data and positioning configuration in advance, so when the UE needs to perform positioning measurements, it can do so immediately without requiring full RRC connection establishment, thus reducing positioning response time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces the RRC inactive state as an intermediary between fully connected and fully idle states. In this intermediate state, the UE maintains minimal context information and can be quickly reactivated for positioning measurements without the overhead of full RRC connection setup, providing a balanced solution that reduces power consumption while maintaining acceptable positioning response times

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Use of energy by moving object

If deferred positioning sessions are implemented with RRC state transitions, then power efficiency improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the RRC state management system universal by designing it to handle multiple functions: regular communication, positioning measurements, and power saving operations. The same RRC state transition mechanism serves both communication control and positioning optimization purposes, reducing the need for separate specialized systems and thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250317888A1Core network assistance information for radio resource control (RRC) state transitions

Publication Date: 2025.10.09 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Disclosed are techniques for communication. In an aspect, a network node receives, from a network entity, core network assistance information for a user equipment (UE), wherein the core network assistance information includes deferred location request information for a request for a deferred positioning session between the UE and a location server, and transitions the UE to a radio resource control (RRC) inactive state or an RRC idle state based, at least in part, on the deferred location request information and one or more capabilities of the UE to perform positioning procedures in the RRC inactive state or the RRC idle state.