MBS Inactivity Timer Control for RRC State Consistency
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the 5G mobile communication system, there is a mismatch of RRC states between the base station and user equipment due to the expiration of the data inactivity timer when receiving multicast broadcast service data, leading to unintended transitions to the RRC idle state, especially when feedback information is not transmitted.
Innovation Solution
The user equipment manages the data inactivity timer by controlling not to start or restart it upon receiving multicast broadcast data, and in some cases, transmits restart information to the base station to prevent premature transitions to the RRC idle state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the data inactivity timer is started or restarted upon receiving multicast broadcast data, then the timer mechanism works as designed for unicast data, but the user equipment transitions to RRC idle state prematurely causing state mismatch with the base station
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the behavior parameter of the data inactivity timer specifically for multicast broadcast data reception. When the user equipment receives multicast broadcast data, it modifies the timer operation to not start or restart the timer, thereby changing the timing parameter from the standard behavior to a specialized behavior that prevents premature RRC idle state transitions and maintains state consistency with the base station.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the user equipment transitions to RRC idle state upon timer expiration, then power saving is achieved, but continuous reception of multicast broadcast data cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the timer behavior based on the data type. For multicast broadcast data specifically, the timer is configured to not start or restart, allowing the user equipment to remain in RRC connected state and ensure continuous data reception. This localized modification for specific data types balances power consumption considerations with reliability requirements for continuous service reception.
3Device complexity
If the data inactivity timer is managed according to standard procedures, then the system operates with simple timer logic, but state mismatch occurs between base station and user equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the timer management logic into different pathways based on data type. The standard timer management procedure is maintained for general cases, while a specialized pathway is created for multicast broadcast data that prevents timer start/restart. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by maintaining simple overall logic while adding targeted complexity only where needed for state synchronization.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication control method according to a first aspect is a communication control method performed by a user equipment in a mobile communication system that provides a multicast broadcast service (an MBS). The communication control method includes receiving MBS data from a base station in a Radio Resource Control (an RRC) connected state; managing a timer that times a time when transmission and reception of data and signaling are not performed with the base station; and transitioning from the RRC connected state to an RRC idle state in response to expiration of the timer. The managing of the timer includes controlling not to start the timer even if the MBS data is received when the MBS data transmitted via multicast or broadcast is received.