Inactive-State Small Data Transmission Without Connected-State Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the 5G network's inactive state, terminal devices experience unnecessary power consumption and signaling overheads when transmitting small data packets, and managing resources during handovers in a CU-DU split scenario is challenging, especially when the terminal moves out of the original access network's coverage.
Innovation Solution
The central unit of a network device sends indication information associating a configured grant resource with a synchronization signal block (SSB) to the terminal device, allowing it to determine resource validity based on RSRP, and switches between inactive and connected states without additional signaling, while the central unit manages context transfer during handovers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the terminal device enters the connected state to transmit small data, then the data transmission can be completed, but unnecessary power consumption and signaling overheads are caused
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data transmission process by identifying small data packets as a distinct category that can be handled differently from regular data. The terminal device transmits small data directly in the inactive state without transitioning to connected state, while larger or more frequent data transmissions still use the connected state. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by applying different state management strategies to different data types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by allowing the terminal device to perform limited data transmission (small packets only) while remaining in the inactive state. This partial capability is sufficient for small data scenarios, eliminating the need for full connected state activation and thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining essential transmission functionality.
2Productivity
If the terminal device enters the connected state to transmit small data, then the data transmission can be completed, but signaling overheads increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the transmission protocol requirements by creating a simplified path for small data that bypasses the full connected state signaling sequence. Small data transmissions use a truncated signaling procedure that only includes essential messages, while other data types continue to use the complete signaling framework. This reduces signaling overhead for small packets while maintaining robustness for other scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by implementing a partial signaling procedure for small data transmission. Instead of executing the complete connected state signaling sequence, the terminal device performs only the necessary signaling steps required for small packet transmission, thereby reducing signaling overhead while still achieving successful data delivery.
3Productivity
If the terminal uses configured grant resources after leaving original access network coverage, then data transmission may continue, but resource validity becomes uncertain without additional signaling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple SSB associations with configured grant resources before the terminal leaves coverage. When the terminal moves to a new area, it can immediately determine resource validity by checking the RSRP of the associated SSBs without requiring additional signaling exchanges. This advance preparation resolves the contradiction by enabling continuous transmission while simplifying resource management through pre-established validity criteria.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the terminal device to autonomously determine the validity of configured grant resources using RSRP measurements of associated SSBs. The terminal independently evaluates whether to use pre-configured resources without requiring network device confirmation or additional signaling, thereby maintaining transmission continuity while reducing resource management complexity through self-directed resource validation.
Data Source
AI summary
This application provides a communication method and apparatus. One example method includes receiving, by a central unit of a first network device, a retrieve user equipment (UE) context request from a second network device; sending, by the central unit of the first network device, a context of a terminal device in an inactive state to the second network device; and upon receiving the retrieve UE context request, sending, by the central unit of the first network device, a first message to a distributed unit of the first network device, where the first message indicates the distributed unit of the first network device to release a context of the terminal device.