NB-IoT Connection Handling Resolving AS-NAS Inconsistency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication technologies face inconsistencies in connection handling for Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT) terminals, particularly in the User Plane (UP) optimization scheme, leading to inconsistent operations and inefficiencies in signaling and data transmission due to unclear context identification and flexible resume identity formats.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for connection handling that instructs the Non-Access Stratum (NAS) of a terminal to perform specific operations based on obtained connection results, including indication messages for suspension flag management, NB-IoT type indication, NAS signaling handling, and optimization scheme support, ensuring consistent operations between the Access Stratum (AS) and NAS, and flexible resume identity formatting to resolve inconsistencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the UP optimization scheme is adopted to reduce signaling overhead and power consumption, then signaling overhead and power consumption are reduced, but connection handling inconsistencies and operational inefficiencies occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces feedback mechanisms where the NAS receives indication information from the AS about connection resumption status, suspension flag states, and operational results. This feedback loop enables the NAS to adjust its behavior accordingly, ensuring consistent operation between AS and NAS while maintaining the energy efficiency benefits of UP optimization. The feedback includes status information about connection resumption, suspension flag management, and operational outcomes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent manages different operational parameters including suspension flag states (suspended vs. active), connection states (idle, connected, resuming), and indication information types. By dynamically changing these parameters based on connection status and operational requirements, the system maintains consistency in connection handling while preserving the low power consumption characteristics of the UP optimization scheme.
2Adaptability or versatility
If flexible resume identity formats are used to adapt to different network conditions, then adaptability is improved, but context identification accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different resume identity formats based on local network conditions and requirements. The system can use truncated resume identities when full identities are not necessary, and full resume identities when precise context identification is required. This localized adaptation of identity formats allows the system to maintain both flexibility and accuracy in different operational contexts.
Solution Approach 2:
The NAS acts as an intermediary that receives resume identities from the AS and processes them according to local requirements. The NAS can transform between different resume identity formats, validate contexts, and ensure accurate identification while maintaining the flexibility to handle various network conditions. This intermediary processing layer resolves the contradiction between format flexibility and identification accuracy.
3Speed
If the NAS buffers NAS signaling for service request during connection resumption, then connection resumption speed is improved, but signaling processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The NAS buffers NAS signaling messages in advance during the connection resumption process, preparing them for immediate transmission once the connection is established. This preliminary buffering action speeds up the overall resumption process by eliminating transmission delays. The system manages this buffering complexity through structured handling of suspension flags and indication information from the AS.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback mechanism provides the NAS with information about connection resumption status, suspension flag states, and signaling processing requirements. This feedback enables the NAS to intelligently manage buffered signaling, knowing when to transmit, when to buffer, and how to process messages, thereby reducing the complexity of signaling handling while maintaining fast resumption speeds.
Data Source
AI summary
The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method and an apparatus for connection handling. The method includes: receiving a connection request that requests for establishing or resuming a connection with a base station; and instructing a Non-Access Stratum (NAS) of a terminal to perform a predetermined operation based on an obtained first connection result corresponding to the connection request. In this way, the problems associated with inconsistent operations in the user plane optimization in the related art can be solved and the consistency in operations between the Access Stratum (AS) and NAS of the terminal can be achieved.