Dual Data Inactivity Timer for Multi-Node Connectivity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless communication protocols, such as 3GPP LTE and 5G NR, do not adequately manage data inactivity in multi-node connectivity environments, leading to inadvertent disconnection of user equipment (UE) from 5G NR networks when the data inactivity timer expires, causing unintended transitions from connected to idle mode and resource release.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a dual-data inactivity timer mechanism that restarts upon detecting data communications with either the 5G NR or E-UTRA MAC entities, ensuring connections are maintained until both nodes are inactive, preventing premature transitions to idle mode and resource release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single data inactivity timer is used per MAC entity, then the protocol complexity is low and implementation is simple, but the UE transitions to idle mode prematurely when one node's timer expires while other nodes still have active communications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single data inactivity timer into multiple separate timers, one for each MAC entity. This allows independent tracking of inactivity periods for different nodes (E-UTRA and 5G NR), preventing premature idle mode transitions when one node becomes inactive while others remain active. The segmentation resolves the contradiction by improving connectivity reliability through node-specific timer management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic timer management where the overall inactivity determination is based on the collective state of multiple individual timers rather than a single static timer. The UE monitors multiple timers and only transitions to idle mode when all timers expire, creating a dynamic system that adapts to the actual communication state of each node independently.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the UE transitions to idle mode when the data inactivity timer expires, then energy consumption is reduced and resources are released, but unintended disconnection occurs from nodes that still have active data communications
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the timer mechanism into node-specific timers, the system can accurately determine when each individual node becomes inactive. This prevents premature energy-saving transitions to idle mode while ensuring that the UE only transitions when truly all communications are inactive, thus maintaining connectivity reliability without unnecessary energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the UE continuously monitors the state of multiple data inactivity timers and bases its idle mode transition decision on the collective feedback from all timers. This ensures that energy-saving transitions only occur when appropriate (when all nodes are inactive), preventing unintended disconnections while still achieving energy conservation when valid.
3Productivity
If radio resources are released upon timer expiration, then resource efficiency is improved and network capacity is optimized, but active connections are inadvertently disconnected causing service interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the resource release decision into node-specific evaluations through individual timers for each MAC entity. Resources are released only when the corresponding node-specific timer expires, ensuring that resource efficiency is improved through timely release of truly inactive resources while connection stability is maintained by preserving resources for nodes that remain active.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter for determining when to release resources from a single global inactivity threshold to multiple node-specific inactivity thresholds. This parameter change allows the system to optimize resource efficiency by releasing resources at the appropriate time for each node independently, preventing premature release that would interrupt active connections.
Data Source
AI summary
This document describes methods and devices for preventing inadvertent idle mode for a UE in multi-node connectivity with a master node and at least one secondary node. In an implementation, the UE includes first and second Media Access Control (MAC) entities for respectively communicating with a master node and a secondary node. The UE starts or restarts at least one data inactivity timer responsive to detecting a communication of data on at least one of the MAC entities. Rather than inadvertently releasing resources of a node as part of the UE transitioning to an idle mode, thereby potentially ceasing connectivity of active communication with the node, the methods and devices described here prevent this release unless connections to both nodes are inactive. By so doing, degradation to a user's experience and the waste of power, computing, or bandwidth resources may be prevented.