Network Entity Coverage Enhancement Update Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 5G communication systems face challenges in efficiently informing User Equipment (UE) about changes in coverage enhancement usage, leading to potential delays in synchronizing Network Access Stratum (NAS) timers between the UE and the network.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus are introduced to proactively inform the UE about changes in coverage enhancement usage by transmitting a Configuration Update Command (CUC) message, which includes an indication of the change, allowing the UE to initiate a registration procedure and synchronize with the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the network waits for periodic registration procedures to inform UE about changes in coverage enhancement usage, then the system maintains simplicity in message transmission, but delays occur in synchronizing NAS timers between UE and network
Solution Approach 1:
The network proactively sends a Configuration Update Command message to the UE before the periodic registration procedure occurs, informing the UE of changes in coverage enhancement usage. This preliminary action eliminates the delay that would otherwise occur until the next periodic registration, while maintaining relatively simple message transmission by using existing configuration update mechanisms.
2Reliability
If the network proactively sends Configuration Update Command messages to inform UE of changes, then synchronization of NAS timers is improved, but the complexity of message transmission and processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The Configuration Update Command message includes specific indication fields that provide feedback to the UE about changes in coverage enhancement usage. The UE processes this feedback and updates its NAS timer values accordingly, ensuring reliable synchronization between the network and UE without requiring complex multi-step procedures.
3Loss of information
If the network uses existing periodic registration procedures to update UE, then the signaling overhead is reduced, but the service predictability and quality deteriorate due to timing delays
Solution Approach 1:
The network sends the Configuration Update Command message in advance of the periodic registration procedure, ensuring that the UE has the latest coverage enhancement usage information before service delivery begins. This preliminary update maintains service predictability and quality without significantly increasing signaling overhead, as the message is integrated into existing update mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a communication method and system for converging a 5th-Generation (5G) communication system for supporting higher data rates beyond a 4th-Generation (4G) system with a technology for Internet of Things (IoT). The present disclosure may be applied to intelligent services based on the 5G communication technology and the IoT-related technology, such as smart home, smart building, smart city, smart car, connected car, health care, digital education, smart retail, security and safety services. There is disclosed a method, for a first network entity, for informing a change in coverage enhancement usage in a network comprising the first network entity and a user equipment (UE). The method comprises, in response to determining that a restriction on the use of coverage enhancement has changed for the UE, transmitting, to the UE, a first message including an indication of the change.