RAN Connection Resumption Using Pre-Fetched Access Network Information
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connection management solutions in RAN service-based architectures suffer from high signaling overheads and prolonged processing times due to the need for AMF involvement in paging and user plane connection activation.
Innovation Solution
A method where a first network element proactively requests and obtains connection information from a second network element when a data transmission connection is disconnected, allowing direct resumption of the connection through access network devices upon arrival of downlink data, reducing signaling overheads and transmission delays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the AMF is involved in paging and user plane connection activation, then connection management can be implemented, but signaling overheads increase and processing time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the connection management functionality from the AMF and relocates it to the RAN. The RAN directly manages connection state transitions (idle/active/connected) and handles paging procedures locally, eliminating the need for AMF involvement in these operations. This extraction reduces signaling overhead and processing time while maintaining connection management capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the connection management functions into distinct modules within the RAN: mobility management module for idle/active state transitions, and connection management module for connected state operations. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each function and reduces inter-module signaling overhead.
2Reliability
If the AMF is involved in paging and user plane connection activation, then connection management can be implemented, but signaling overheads increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts connection management functions from the AMF and implements them directly in the RAN. This eliminates multiple signaling hops between AMF and RAN, reducing signaling overhead while maintaining full connection management capability through local decision-making at the RAN.
3Adaptability or versatility
If direct communication between RAN and core network elements is implemented, then end-to-end unified orchestration is achieved, but existing connection management solutions have high signaling overheads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a service-based interface as an intermediary layer between the RAN and core network elements. This interface enables direct communication and end-to-end unified orchestration while providing a standardized protocol that reduces signaling overhead compared to traditional hierarchical communication paths.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of this application provide a connection management method and apparatus. The method includes: when a data transmission connection of a communication apparatus is disconnected and downlink data of the communication apparatus has not arrived, sending a first request message to a second network element, where the first request message is used to request connection information of the communication apparatus, the connection information is used to obtain information about one or more access network devices, and the one or more access network devices include an access network device that serves the communication apparatus; receiving the connection information from the second network element; and when the downlink data of the communication apparatus arrives, triggering resumption of the data transmission connection of the communication apparatus through the one or more access network devices. According to the method disclosed in this application, in a RAN service-based architecture, connection management on the communication apparatus by the first network element can be effectively implemented.