RAN Data Storage Function for Inactive UE Context Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile and wireless communication networks face challenges in efficiently managing and retrieving user equipment (UE) context information during radio resource control inactive states, particularly due to limitations in point-to-point interfaces and address resolution issues, which lead to increased latency and signaling overhead.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a service-based interface (SBI) within the radio access network (RAN) to store, update, and retrieve UE context information using a radio access network data storage function (RAN-DSF), employing context keys that include an inactive-radio network temporary identifier (I-RNTI) without base station address information, allowing for secure and efficient storage and retrieval across network nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If point-to-point interfaces are used for UE context storage and retrieval, then direct communication between network nodes is enabled, but latency increases and signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a service-based interface as an intermediary layer between network nodes and the UE context storage function. This SBI enables indirect communication through standardized service requests and responses, reducing the need for direct point-to-point connections and thereby lowering latency and signaling overhead while maintaining retrieval reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the network architecture by separating the UE context storage function from the network nodes that need to access it. This segmentation allows independent optimization of storage and retrieval operations, enabling faster context retrieval without requiring persistent point-to-point connections between all network elements.
2Measurement precision
If base station address information is included in context keys, then precise address resolution is enabled, but network flexibility decreases and scalability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the base station address information from the context key structure. By removing this requirement, the system achieves broader network flexibility and scalability while maintaining sufficient address resolution capability through alternative identification mechanisms that do not depend on direct base station addressing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal context key structure that can identify UE contexts without being tied to specific base station addresses. This universal approach allows the same identification mechanism to work across different network configurations, base station topologies, and mobility scenarios, enhancing both flexibility and scalability.
3Reliability
If extensive Xn interface connections are established for UE context access, then comprehensive context availability is achieved, but network complexity increases and overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The service-based interface acts as a mediator that consolidates multiple Xn interface connections into a unified access mechanism. Network nodes can retrieve UE contexts through standardized SBI calls without requiring direct Xn connections to all potential source nodes, thereby reducing interface complexity while maintaining comprehensive context availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple point-to-point Xn interfaces into a single service-based access point for UE context retrieval. This consolidation reduces the number of individual connections required while preserving the ability to access contexts from any network node, simplifying the overall network architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
In some example embodiments, there may be provided a data storage function for handling user equipment context information. In some example embodiments, there may be provided a method that includes receiving, from a first network node via a service-based interface, at least one context information for at least one user equipment in a radio resource control inactive state; storing and/or updating the at least one context information; receiving a retrieve request from a second network node via the service-based interface, wherein the retrieve request comprises a context key; retrieving the at least one context information for the at least one user equipment in response to the retrieve request based at least on the context key; and sending the at least one context information for the at least one user equipment to the second network node via the service-based interface. Related systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are also disclosed.