Early Data Transmission in NB-IoT via RRC Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cellular IoT systems, such as NB-IoT, face challenges with high signaling overheads and power consumption due to the requirement of establishing an RRC connection for uplink/downlink data transmission.
Innovation Solution
A data transmission method that allows for early data transmission before establishing a radio resource control (RRC) connection, reducing signaling overheads and power consumption by using a terminal device to send a first indication to an access network device, and transmitting data between the terminal device and the access network device using a data radio bearer (DRB) or non-access-stratum protocol data unit (NAS PDU).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an RRC connection is established for data transmission, then reliable data transmission is ensured, but signaling overheads increase and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing security context and encryption keys before actual data transmission occurs. The network device pre-configures security parameters and establishes the security context during the connection setup phase, so that when data transmission begins, the security framework is already in place and ready to use, eliminating the need for repeated security negotiations during data transfer
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the RRC connection establishment process into distinct phases: security context establishment phase and data transmission phase. By separating these functions, the system can establish the security framework once and reuse it for multiple data transmission operations, reducing redundant signaling overhead while maintaining transmission reliability
2Productivity
If an RRC connection is established for data transmission, then data transmission is enabled, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing the security context and encryption keys before actual data transmission. This allows the terminal device to enter a low-power state during data transmission since the security framework is already established and doesn't require continuous processing, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining data transmission capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service through autonomous security context management where the terminal device maintains its own security context and encryption keys locally. This eliminates the need for continuous network interaction for security updates, allowing the device to operate autonomously in low-power mode while still providing secure data transmission when needed
3Adaptability or versatility
If a full RRC connection is established, then comprehensive data transmission is supported, but signaling overheads are excessively large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the security context establishment function from the complete RRC connection establishment process. By separating security context setup from full connection establishment, the system can provide essential security and data transmission capabilities without requiring the entire RRC connection framework, thereby reducing signaling overhead while maintaining adaptability for data transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by implementing a simplified RRC connection procedure that includes only the necessary components for data transmission and security. Instead of establishing the complete RRC connection with all its features, the system uses a partial connection setup that provides sufficient functionality for the required data transmission tasks, reducing unnecessary signaling overhead
Data Source
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AI summary
This application provides a data transmission method, a terminal device, and an access network device, so that data can be transmitted between a terminal device and an access network device based on 1st RRC signaling, without a need of establishing an RRC connection, and signaling overheads required for establishing a bearer for data transmission can be reduced. The method includes: sending, by a terminal device, a first indication to an access network device, where the first indication is used to indicate that the terminal device is to transmit data based on 1st radio resource control RRC signaling to be sent by the terminal device to the access network device, and/or the first indication is used to indicate that the access network device is to transmit data based on 1st radio resource control RRC signaling to be sent by the access network device to the terminal device; and transmitting the data between the terminal device and the access network device based on the 1st RRC signaling.