Feature Configuration Apparatus Signaling Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing feature configuration methods in mobile communications lead to a waste of signaling resources and reduced air interface signaling transmission success rates due to repetitive transmission of configuration information elements, even when the content remains unchanged.

Innovation Solution

A method where a reservation indication is sent to user equipment (UE) to save configuration information elements during radio resource control connection state transitions, allowing these elements to be reused upon re-entry into the same state, reducing the need for repeated transmissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the network sends configuration information elements to UE every time a feature needs to be activated, then the feature can be properly configured, but signaling resources are wasted and air interface transmission success rate decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair interface signaling transmission success rateVSAvoidsignaling resource waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The network performs preliminary configuration by sending the configuration information element to the UE in advance, before the state transition occurs. The UE stores this configuration information and reuses it when transitioning back to the same RRC connection state, eliminating the need for repeated transmissions and reducing signaling resource waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The configuration information element serves multiple functions: it is sent once in advance to configure the feature, stored by the UE for future use, and reused across multiple state transitions. This multi-functional approach allows the same configuration data to serve multiple activation events without requiring retransmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If the network sends configuration information elements repetitively even when content is unchanged, then configuration is ensured, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration assuranceVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the parameter of configuration transmission timing by sending the configuration information element before state transition rather than at the moment of activation. This temporal parameter change allows the configuration to be reused across multiple transitions, reducing the quantity of signaling transmissions while maintaining configuration assurance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of energy

If the UE stores configuration information elements during state transitions, then repeated transmissions are reduced, but memory resources are consumed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignaling transmission reductionVSAvoidmemory resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The UE stores configuration information elements that are relatively small in size and can be easily overwritten when new configurations are received. These configuration objects are treated as temporary storage items that serve their purpose during state transitions and are replaced when new configurations arrive, balancing memory usage with signaling reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentEP3179765B1Characteristic configuration apparatus and method
Publication Date: 2019.05.15 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3179765B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3179765B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3179765B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

This application provides a feature configuration apparatus and a feature configuration method. The apparatus includes: an indication unit and an enable unit. The indication unit is configured to send a first reservation indication of a configuration information element to user equipment (UE), where the first reservation indication is used to instruct the UE to reserve the configuration information element saved in a first radio resource control connection state. The enable unit is configured to: when the UE reenters the first radio resource control connection state, send a first enable indication of the configuration information element to the UE, where the first enable indication is used to instruct the UE to use the configuration information element to perform feature configuration. By means of the embodiments, UE or UE and a base station may reserve a configuration information element according to an indication of an RNC instead of deleting the configuration information element, and when the UE or the UE and the base station need to enable a feature, the reserved configuration information element may be used according to an enable indication of the configuration information element to perform configuration, so that transmission of a configuration information element is reduced, thereby reducing signaling resources.