Light Connected Mode for 5G IoT Signaling Overhead Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mobile communication systems face challenges in reducing signaling overhead during handover and paging procedures, especially with the increasing demand for efficient network operations in 5G communication systems and the integration of IoT technologies, where existing random access procedures are inefficient, particularly for devices in extended coverage modes like NB-IoT and eMTC.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a light connected mode as a new terminal operation mode, allowing for efficient use of uplink resources in random access procedures, and the implementation of a resume ID mechanism for fast reconnection in extended coverage modes, along with semi-persistent scheduling for V2V communication to adapt to varying message transmission needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If conventional handover and paging procedures are used, then network coverage and connectivity are maintained, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignaling overheadVSAvoidnetwork connectivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and separates the essential connectivity maintenance functions from the full handover and paging procedures. The light connected mode selectively maintains only the necessary network connection elements (such as partial RRC context) while releasing others, thereby reducing signaling overhead while preserving core network connectivity functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The light connected mode implements partial action by maintaining a subset of connection state information rather than the complete connection state. This partial maintenance of RRC context and selective keeping of network resources reduces the signaling required for full handover and paging while sufficient to maintain essential connectivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Loss of time

If random access procedures are used for reconnection, then network access is achieved, but procedure duration increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereconnection timeVSAvoidnetwork efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-maintaining essential connection context and network resources during the light connected mode. When reconnection is needed, the terminal can quickly resume the connection using the preserved context information, avoiding the time-consuming full random access procedure while maintaining network efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Use of energy by moving object

If full connection mode is maintained, then communication reliability is ensured, but resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal energy consumptionVSAvoidcommunication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamics by creating a flexible connection state that can adapt between full connected mode and light connected mode based on actual communication needs. The terminal dynamically transitions between these states, maintaining full connection only when necessary for reliability, and using light connected mode to reduce energy consumption during periods with lower communication requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3440889B1Light connection method and apparatus for use in wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2023.08.02 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3440889B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3440889B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3440889B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a communication technology and system for integrating a 5G communication system with IoT technologies to achieve a data rate higher than those of 4G systems. The present disclosure is applicable to intelligent services based on the 5G communication technologies and IoT technologies (e.g., smart home, smart building, smart city, smart car or connected car, health care, digital education, retail business, and security and safety services). The present disclosure proposes a method for supporting a light connected mode as a new terminal operation mode in addition to the idle mode and connected mode to facilitate operations of the terminals and base stations in a mobile communication system.