Core Network Ping for Parallel Service Setup

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication networks experience significant latency due to sequential execution of terminating service handling procedures and paging procedures when setting up services for User Equipment (UE) in idle mode, leading to increased service setup times.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method where a serving core network node sends a ping message to the target UE in response to a service setup request prior to completing the terminating service handling procedure, allowing the paging procedure to be executed in parallel with the service handling, thereby reducing the overall delay.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If the terminating service handling procedure is completed before sending the paging message to the target UE, then the service setup request can be properly processed, but the total service setup time increases due to sequential execution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice setup timeVSAvoidprocedure coordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network node sends a preliminary indication message to the target UE before completing the terminating service handling procedure, triggering the UE to perform preliminary actions (such as preparing to transition from idle mode) in advance. This allows the paging procedure to be executed in parallel with the service handling procedure, reducing the total service setup time while maintaining proper processing sequence through coordinated message exchange.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the network node waits for the terminating service handling procedure to complete before initiating the paging procedure, then proper service processing is ensured, but the overall delay increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice setup efficiencyVSAvoidtotal delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The network node initiates the paging procedure continuously alongside the terminating service handling procedure by sending an indication message that triggers parallel execution. This continuous parallel action eliminates idle waiting time while ensuring that both procedures complete their respective functions, thereby improving service setup efficiency without increasing total delay.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Ease of operation

If the UE is paged while in idle mode, then the UE can be reached with minimal disruption, but additional delay is introduced to transition the UE from idle to connected state

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUE accessibilityVSAvoidconnection establishment delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The indication message sent to the target UE in idle mode contains information that triggers the UE to perform preliminary actions, such as preparing connection resources or transitioning to a connected state in advance. This preliminary action reduces the actual connection establishment delay when the paging procedure completes, while still allowing the UE to be reached in its current idle state, thus maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3788753B1Method and network node for handling a service setup for a user equipment
Publication Date: 2023.08.09 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3788753B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3788753B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3788753B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments herein relate to a method performed by a serving core network node (130, 140) in a communications network, for handling a service setup for a target UE (120) located in the communications network (100). The serving core network node (130, 5 140) receives a service setup request directed towards the target UE (120). The serving core network node (130, 140) sends a ping message to the target UE (120) in response to the service setup request prior to a completion of a terminating service handling procedure of the serving network, wherein the terminating service handling procedure is completed when the service setup request is forwarded from a serving core network 10 towards the target UE (120).