Downlink Buffering Shift for Inactive eDRX Communication Sessions
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Solution Overview
Problem
The prolonged eDRX cycle in terminal devices for energy saving increases the buffering burden on access network devices due to extended sleep duration, 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 reduced capability radio access types like NR REDCAP, and determining optimal eDRX parameters based on these capabilities and device preferences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the eDRX cycle is extended to enhance energy saving effect, then the terminal device can sleep longer and reduce power consumption, but the buffering burden on the access network device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a core network device as an intermediary to handle downlink data buffering. When the terminal device enters inactive state with extended eDRX cycle, the core network device receives and buffers downlink data instead of the access network device, thereby reducing the buffering burden on the access network while maintaining energy saving benefits for the terminal device
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the data buffering function between different network devices. The access network device handles initial data reception, while the core network device handles extended buffering during inactive state. This segmentation allows each device to perform its optimal function without overwhelming burden
2Use of energy by moving object
If the terminal device enters inactive state with prolonged eDRX cycle, then energy saving is enhanced, but the complexity of managing downlink data processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The core network device autonomously manages downlink data buffering during terminal device inactive state without requiring complex coordination with the access network device. The core network device self-determines when to buffer data and when to forward it, simplifying the overall data processing complexity while maintaining energy saving effects
Data Source
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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.