Early Connection Release for NB-IoT Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems, particularly 5G NR, face challenges in efficiently managing connections for low-cost, low-rate devices, such as Narrowband-Internet of Things (NB-IoT) and enhanced machine type communication (eMTC), which require reduced bandwidth, lower transmit power, and half-duplex operation, leading to increased power consumption and inefficiencies in releasing user equipment (UE) connections.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that receive release assistance information from a User Equipment (UE) or User Plane Function (UPF) to determine and initiate the release of the UE connection, allowing for quicker power savings by transitioning into idle or sleep modes, utilizing Radio Access Network (RAN) and control plane/user plane signaling for efficient connection management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the connection release procedure follows traditional LTE design with full link budget allocation, then coverage and quality of service are improved, but power consumption increases and connection release efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of connection release timing by introducing early release mechanisms based on data volume thresholds and inactivity detection. The RAN releases the UE connection earlier than traditional procedures by monitoring data transmission patterns and triggering release when predefined conditions are met, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining QoS for active transmissions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring release assistance information parameters and thresholds before connection establishment. The network pre-determines conditions for early release based on UE capabilities and service requirements, allowing faster connection release without impacting ongoing QoS-critical transmissions
2Reliability
If the connection release is delayed to ensure complete data transmission, then data integrity is improved, but power consumption increases and network efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the UE provides release assistance information to the RAN about its data transmission status. The UE monitors its own data buffer and transmission patterns, then feeds this information back to the network, enabling the RAN to make informed decisions about connection release timing that preserve data integrity while improving network efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables self-service by allowing the UE to autonomously determine when its data transmission is complete and initiate the release assistance information signaling. The UE independently monitors its own transmission state and triggers the release procedure without waiting for network polling, thereby improving network efficiency while ensuring data integrity through UE-autonomous verification
3Extent of automation
If the RAN waits for NAS-based release signaling from the core network, then centralized control is improved, but connection release speed deteriorates and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the connection release function into two parts: RAN-level early release based on radio-level observations, and NAS-level confirmation for core network coordination. The RAN can independently initiate release based on local conditions (improving speed), while the core network retains ultimate authorization through NAS signaling (maintaining centralized control)
4Device complexity
If narrowband bandwidth and reduced RF chains are used for low-cost devices, then device complexity is reduced, but connection management efficiency deteriorates and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing connection release optimization specifically tailored for narrowband UEs with reduced RF chains. The RAN identifies such UEs based on their capabilities and applies early release mechanisms targeted at their specific constraints, improving connection management efficiency without compromising the simplified hardware design of low-cost devices
Data Source
AI summary
In order to improve efficiency in releasing a connection with a user equipment, a method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium are presented herein. A RAN receives release assistance information from a user equipment or a User Plane Function (UPF) involved in an active session with the user equipment. The release assistance information may be received over a control plane or over a user plane. The release assistance information may be received from the user equipment or the UPF over the user plane or as Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling. The release assistance information may be received from an application function via the UPF. The RAN determines to release the user equipment based on the release assistance information.