5G NAS Configuration Update Command Registration Flag

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Solution Overview

Problem

The current 3GPP 5GS NAS specification lacks a generic indication to request UE registration without releasing the N1 NAS signaling connection, leading to inefficient protocol design and larger message sizes as more reasons for registration are introduced, as the existing Mobile Initiated Connection Only (MICO) indication is not applicable for all cases.

Innovation Solution

A new generic indication is introduced within the existing Information Element (IE) of the CONFIGURATION UPDATE COMMAND message to request UE registration, allowing the UE to initiate the registration procedure while maintaining the current N1 NAS signaling connection, eliminating the need for specific reason-based IEs and reducing message size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the MICO indication is used to request registration from UE, then the registration can be requested, but the N1 NAS signaling connection is released and the indication is not applicable for all registration cases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplicability of indication for different registration casesVSAvoidN1 NAS signaling connection release

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The solution segments the registration request indication into two separate flags: one flag (e.g., bit 0) indicates whether registration is requested, and another flag (e.g., bit 1) indicates whether the N1 NAS signaling connection should be released. This segmentation allows independent control of registration request and connection release, enabling versatile application across different registration cases while avoiding unnecessary connection releases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of information

If new IEs are introduced for each specific reason of requested registration, then the specific reason can be indicated, but the protocol design becomes inefficient and message size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespecific reason indicationVSAvoidprotocol design efficiency and message size

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The solution creates a universal indication mechanism using generic flags within the existing CONFIGURATION UPDATE COMMAND message structure. Instead of introducing separate IEs for each registration reason, two universal flags are defined that can handle any registration scenario: one flag indicates registration request, and the other indicates connection release preference. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for multiple specific IEs, maintaining protocol efficiency and keeping message size compact while still conveying the necessary information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4133814B1Network requested registration procedure initiation

Publication Date: 2023.11.08 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

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AI summary

Disclosed herein is a method performed by a wireless communication device (112), the method comprising: receiving (400), from a network node (200), a configuration update command comprising an indication as to whether the wireless communication device (112) is to maintain an existing non-access stratum, NAS, connection; and performing (402) one or more actions in accordance with the configuration update command.