Core-Network Downlink Buffering for Extended eDRX Inactive States
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of extending the eDRX cycle for terminal devices to enhance energy saving leads to increased buffering burdens on access network devices due to prolonged inactive states, necessitating a solution to manage downlink data processing efficiently.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves the access and mobility management network element learning the extended buffering capabilities of service session and user plane network elements to offload downlink data buffering from the access network device, using methods such as determining radio access types and sending indications to manage eDRX parameters effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the eDRX cycle is extended to enhance energy saving for terminal devices, then the sleep duration is increased and power consumption is reduced, but the buffering burden on access network devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the downlink data buffering function from the access network device and relocates it to the core network device. When the terminal device enters inactive state with extended eDRX cycle, the access network device no longer buffers downlink data locally, instead forwarding buffering requirements to the core network device which has greater buffering capacity. This extraction resolves the contradiction by removing the harmful buffering burden from the access network device while maintaining energy saving benefits for the terminal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the core network device as an intermediary between the access network device and the terminal device for downlink data buffering. The core network device acts as a mediator that receives buffering requests from the access network device, stores downlink data, and manages data delivery when the terminal becomes active. This intermediary approach allows the access network device to offload buffering responsibilities while the terminal benefits from extended sleep cycles.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the terminal device sleeps in inactive state for longer time to enhance energy saving, then power consumption is reduced, but the downlink data processing capability requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the access network device notify the core network device in advance when the terminal device enters inactive state with extended eDRX cycle. The core network device is pre-configured with buffering capabilities and prepared to receive and store downlink data before the terminal wakes up. This preliminary preparation ensures that downlink data processing reliability is maintained even though the terminal sleeps for extended periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where the access network device monitors the inactive state duration and eDRX cycle parameters of the terminal device, then provides this information to the core network device. The core network device uses this feedback to adjust its buffering strategy and data delivery timing accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that downlink data processing remains reliable and adapted to the terminal's energy saving state.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of this application provide a communication method and a related apparatus. The communication method includes: learning that a terminal device enters an inactive state and that a radio access type of the terminal device is a first radio access type; and determining, based on an extended buffering capability of a service session management network element and/or an extended buffering capability of a service user plane network element of the terminal device, that the service session management network element or the service user plane network element buffers downlink data of the terminal device. Embodiments of this application can alleviate the burden on an access network device of buffering the downlink data of the terminal device.