Light Connection Control for User Equipment Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile communication networks face challenges in reducing signaling overhead and access delay for low-mobility, low-cost user equipment (UEs) with small data transmission requirements, particularly in supporting real-time applications like virtual reality, and existing handover procedures do not support control plane data forwarding for UEs without user plane bearers.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method for radio access network (RAN) nodes to manage UE connections in a 'light connection' state, where the RAN maintains UE context even when inactive, allowing for non-handover data forwarding and reducing energy consumption, and supporting handover for UEs with control plane interaction only, without user plane bearers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If handover procedures are implemented for mobile UEs, then service continuity is improved, but signaling overhead and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic handover decision-making based on UE mobility state. The network determines whether to perform handover based on whether the UE is in a mobile state or stationary state, adjusting the handover behavior dynamically to match actual mobility needs, thereby reducing unnecessary signaling and energy consumption for stationary UEs while maintaining service continuity for mobile UEs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the handover parameter configuration based on UE mobility characteristics. For stationary or low-mobility UEs, handover is disabled or parameters are adjusted to prevent handover execution, while for high-mobility UEs, handover parameters are optimized to ensure service continuity. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction by tailoring handover behavior to specific UE mobility patterns
2Reliability
If handover procedures are implemented for mobile UEs, then service continuity is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts handover execution based on real-time mobility assessment. By determining UE mobility state and selectively enabling or disabling handover, the system minimizes signaling overhead for stationary UEs while maintaining service continuity for mobile UEs, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and signaling quantity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies handover-related parameters and procedures based on UE mobility characteristics. For stationary UEs, handover parameters are configured to prevent execution, eliminating associated signaling overhead. For mobile UEs, parameters are optimized to ensure seamless handover and service continuity, effectively managing the trade-off between signaling overhead and service reliability
3Loss of information
If existing handover procedures are used for UEs without user plane bearers, then control plane data can be forwarded, but the procedures do not support such scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the handover procedure into distinct phases and paths: one for UEs with user plane bearers (existing procedure) and another for UEs without user plane bearers (new procedure). This segmentation allows the system to handle control plane data forwarding specifically for UEs without user plane bearers using a tailored procedure, thereby resolving the incompatibility issue while maintaining support for both scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism in the handover procedure for UEs without user plane bearers. The control plane data is forwarded through alternative pathways and intermediate nodes that do not require user plane bearers, enabling control plane data forwarding while adapting the procedure to suit UEs with control plane only connectivity
4Productivity
If UEs frequently access and release connections for small data transmissions, then data transmission is enabled, but signaling overhead exceeds data volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary connection establishment and maintains the connection in a suspended or inactive state rather than repeatedly establishing and releasing connections for small data transmissions. The connection is prepared in advance and can be quickly activated for data transmission without going through full establishment procedures, thereby reducing signaling overhead while maintaining data transmission capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous connection presence in the network for UEs with small data transmission requirements, keeping the connection in a suspended or inactive state rather than allowing frequent release and re-establishment. This continuity of connection state eliminates the need for repeated signaling exchanges associated with connection setup and release, reducing signaling overhead while preserving data transmission capability
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a communication method and system for converging a 5th-Generation (5G) communication system for supporting higher data rates beyond a 4th-Generation (4G) system with a technology for Internet of Things (IoT). The present disclosure may be applied to intelligent services based on the 5G communication technology and the IoT-related technology, such as smart home, smart building, smart city, smart car, connected car, health care, digital education, smart retail, security and safety services. The present disclosure provides a method for controlling services of a user equipment (UE) in a light connection, including: a first radio access network (RAN) node determines whether a predetermined condition is met, when determining that the predetermined condition is met, the first RAN node controls to transmit information about light connection state of the UE, and/or, indication information about light connection of the UE, based on the connection control. The present disclosure also provides a method for controlling data continuity of a UE, including: a core network (CN) node receives information about light connection state of the UE, and/or, indication information about light connection of the UE; the CN node control services of the UE, based on foregoing received information. The present disclosure also provides another method for controlling services of a UE in a light connection, and a corresponding device. By adopting the technical solution of the present disclosure, from one aspect, signaling overheads are saved by using the light connecton, from another aspect, implementations of existing functions and services will not be affected by introducing the light connection. The present invention provides a data continuity controlling method for a UE, which recites: determining, by a first radio access network node, whether a preset condition is satisfied; and when determining that the preset condition is satisfied and the UE performs Cellular Internet of Things (CIOT) service, transmitting, by the first radio access network node, data transmission information associated with the UE and/or data forwarding requirement information associated with the UE. The present invention further provides another data continuity controlling method for a UE, which recites: obtaining, by a first core network node, data transmission information associated with the UE, and/or receiving a data packet of the UE; performing, by the first core network node, Cellular Internet of Things (CIOT) data transmission control according to the obtained data transmission information associated with the UE and/or the received data packet of the UE. The present invention further provides other data continuity controlling methods for a UE and corresponding devices. According to technical solutions disclosed by the present disclosure, data continuity can be implemented at the same time when saving UE energy.