5G IoT Location Validity Timer Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current 5G IoT communication systems face challenges in maintaining synchronized connectionless service contexts across user equipment (UE), radio access networks (RAN), and core networks, leading to unsynchronized status and incorrect routing of connectionless data transmissions due to mobility and improper configuration of location validity timers.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves updating the initial location validity timer value based on subscription information and RAN configuration, allocating a shorter identifier for subsequent uplink data transmissions, and initiating context information updates to ensure synchronized context information across UE, RAN, and core networks, using a configuration request with a connectionless service identifier to manage the UE location freshness timer effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If the location validity timer value is extended to improve mobility support, then the duration of connectionless service is improved, but the reliability of location accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation validity timer durationVSAvoidlocation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the location validity timer value configurable and adaptable rather than fixed. The RAN can adjust the timer value based on UE mobility patterns and service requirements, allowing the system to optimize between location accuracy and service duration dynamically. This resolves the contradiction by enabling the timer to be longer for stationary devices and shorter for mobile devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of location validity timer from a fixed value to a configurable parameter that can be adjusted based on subscription information, RAN configuration, and UE mobility characteristics. This allows the system to adapt the timer value to different scenarios, resolving the contradiction between extended duration and maintained accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If context information is synchronized across all networks to improve reliability, then the reliability of data transmission is improved, but the signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontext synchronizationVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by implementing context synchronization selectively rather than universally. The RAN maintains context information locally and only synchronizes with the core network when necessary (e.g., during handover or context update events). This reduces unnecessary signaling while maintaining reliability where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses partial action by implementing context synchronization only when required by specific events (mobility events, service activation) rather than continuously. The RAN maintains local context information and performs selective updates, reducing signaling overhead while ensuring reliability when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the initial location validity timer value is negotiated based on subscription information to improve adaptability, then the adaptability of service configuration is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice configuration adaptabilityVSAvoidtimer negotiation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the UE to autonomously negotiate the initial location validity timer value with the RAN based on its subscription information. The UE can determine its own timer requirements and communicate them to the network, reducing the need for complex centralized configuration management while improving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3777447B1Apparatus, method and computer program
Publication Date: 2023.11.22 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP3777447B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3777447B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3777447B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided an apparatus, said apparatus comprising means for receiving a configuration request from a user equipment, the configuration request comprising a connectionless service identifier and providing to the user equipment and to a core network function an updated location validity timer value associated with the connectionless service identifier to update an initial location validity timer value for storage as context information.