Multiple RNTI Assignment for Seamless Mobility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication networks face challenges in seamless mobility between Access Nodes and efficient management of Radio Network Temporary Identifiers (RNTIs), particularly in handling user device identification during handovers and in dense, heterogeneous network environments.
Innovation Solution
A user device and network node system that utilizes multiple RNTIs, each valid for different sets of network nodes, allowing efficient allocation and management of RNTIs to accommodate many user devices within a limited address space, enabling smoother handovers and mobility by using RNTI selection rules based on parameters like geographic location and mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single RNTI is used for user device identification, then the address space is limited and management is simple, but seamless mobility between Access Nodes and efficient management in dense networks cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The RNTI space is segmented into multiple RNTIs, where a first RNTI is valid for a first set of network nodes and a second RNTI is valid for a second set of network nodes. This segmentation allows the user device to be identified differently in different network contexts, enabling seamless mobility between Access Nodes while keeping each individual RNTI manageable in scope.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension to RNTI management by associating each RNTI with a specific set of network nodes rather than using a single universal RNTI. This dimensional change from scalar to contextual identification enables the system to handle dense network environments and mobility scenarios efficiently.
2Productivity
If multiple RNTIs are assigned to a user device, then mobility handling and address space efficiency improve, but the complexity of RNTI allocation and management increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each RNTI is assigned with local quality characteristics, where the first RNTI is valid specifically for the first set of network nodes and the second RNTI for the second set. This localized validity reduces the management complexity compared to universal RNTIs, as each RNTI only needs to be managed within its specific network node set context.
Solution Approach 2:
The network node pre-assigns multiple RNTIs to the user device before handover or mobility events occur. This preliminary assignment of RNTIs with different validity scopes allows the user device to seamlessly switch between network nodes without complex real-time allocation decisions, thereby improving network capacity accommodation while controlling allocation complexity.
3Quantity of substance
If RNTI validity is restricted to specific network node sets, then RNTI address space efficiency improves, but the requirement for multiple RNTIs increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The user device is designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple RNTIs, where a single device can manage and switch between the first RNTI and second RNTI based on which set of network nodes it is currently connected to. This universal capability allows efficient RNTI address space utilization across the entire network while the device itself handles the complexity of multiple identifiers.
Solution Approach 2:
The RNTI assignment is dynamic rather than static, allowing the network to assign different RNTIs with different validity scopes as needed. The user device dynamically switches between RNTIs based on its current connection context, which optimizes address space utilization without permanently increasing device complexity, as the device only needs to handle the RNTIs relevant to its current network state.
Data Source
AI summary
A user device is provided. The user device comprises a transceiver configured to: receive a first Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI), wherein the first RNTI is valid for a first set of network nodes of a radio communication network; receive at least one second RNTI, wherein the second RNTI is valid for a second set of network nodes of the radio communication network, and wherein the first set of network nodes and the second set of network nodes are different sets of network nodes; transmit data to the radio communication network, or receive data from the radio communication network, using the first RNTI or the second RNTI. Furthermore, a network node and corresponding methods, a computer program, and a computer program product are provided.