Layer 2 PDU Connection State Determination in UMTS
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Solution Overview
Problem
In Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), the process of transitioning between active and inactive connection states between communication devices is complex, requiring significant encapsulation and system overhead, and consumes more time and power due to the complexity of Radio Resource Control (RRC) high-level signaling.
Innovation Solution
A communication method that uses Layer 2 Protocol Data Units (PDUs) to determine the necessary connection state between devices, simplifying the process by carrying information indicating data transmission status or timing durations, allowing devices to efficiently switch between connection states without the need for complex signaling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If RRC high-level signaling is used to instruct terminal device to enter inactive state, then connection state transition is achieved, but signaling complexity and system overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of connection state indication from complex RRC high-level signaling and implements it through simplified MAC layer indicators. Specifically, the network side device sends a MAC control element or specific MAC PDU that directly indicates whether the terminal should transition to inactive state, separating the state indication function from the complex RRC signaling encapsulation process.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using high-level RRC signaling to indicate connection state changes, the patent inverts the approach by using lower-layer MAC protocol elements to carry the same indication. This inversion allows the connection state transition to be triggered through simpler, more efficient MAC layer messaging rather than complex RRC encapsulation.
2Reliability
If RRC high-level signaling is used for connection state indication, then connection management is achieved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power-intensive RRC high-level signaling process and replaces it with simpler MAC layer indicators. The terminal device only needs to parse compact MAC control elements or specific MAC PDUs to determine connection state transitions, significantly reducing processing complexity and power consumption compared to full RRC signaling parsing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses lightweight, disposable MAC layer indicators instead of heavy RRC signaling structures. These MAC control elements are simple, self-contained messages that can be quickly processed and discarded after serving their purpose of indicating connection state transitions, minimizing the terminal's processing burden and power consumption.
3Loss of information
If RRC high-level signaling with higher complexity is parsed, then connection state information is obtained, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the connection state indication from complex RRC high-level signaling and places it in simpler MAC layer elements. The terminal device can quickly identify and parse these MAC control elements or specific MAC PDUs to obtain connection state information without going through the time-consuming RRC signaling encapsulation and decoding process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by embedding connection state indication information in MAC layer elements that are transmitted and processed before full RRC signaling exchange would occur. This allows the terminal to determine connection state transitions earlier in the communication flow, reducing overall latency and time consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
Communication methods and communication apparatuses are provided. The communication method includes: a first device receives a Layer 2 Protocol Data Unit (PDU) sent by a second device; and the first device determines a connection state in which the first device and the second device need to be according to the Layer 2 PDU.