RAN Notification Area Configuration via Cell ID Grouping

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for configuring a radio access network (RAN) based notification area are inflexible, as using a core network-based ID covers large areas, and using cell IDs requires signaling hundreds of cells, making it undesirable for efficient UE-specific paging area allocation.

Innovation Solution

A method and device for determining whether a specific cell belongs to a RAN-based notification area by receiving configuration including area or cell IDs, and checking system information to determine membership based on the configuration, allowing for flexible configuration of the RAN-based notification area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a core network-based notification area ID is used to configure a RAN based notification area, then the notification area can be configured, but the configuration is not flexible because the ID covers a very large area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration flexibilityVSAvoidnotification area coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The notification area is segmented into multiple smaller areas, each with its own unique area ID. Instead of using a single large-area CN-based notification area ID, the RAN-based notification area is divided into multiple sub-areas that can be independently configured and managed. This allows the network to selectively activate only the necessary sub-areas for a UE, providing finer granularity and flexibility in area configuration while reducing the covered area per ID.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If cell IDs are used to configure a RAN paging area, then the paging area can be precisely defined, but hundreds of cells need to be signaled to a UE which is not desirable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepaging area definition precisionVSAvoidnumber of cells to be signaled
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple cell IDs are merged and grouped under a single RAN-based notification area ID. Instead of signaling individual cell IDs to the UE, the network creates a logical grouping where one or more area IDs represent a set of cells. The UE is then signaled with these area IDs rather than individual cell identifiers, reducing the signaling overhead while maintaining precise paging area definition through the area ID configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a new ID is introduced to flexibly configure the RAN based notification area, then configuration flexibility is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration flexibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The RAN-based notification area ID is designed to serve multiple functions: it can represent a single cell, a group of cells, or be nested within larger notification areas. This multi-functional design allows the same ID structure to handle various configuration scenarios without requiring separate mechanisms, thereby providing flexibility while limiting the increase in system complexity through a universal, versatile ID system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3525530B1Method and device for configuring ran-based notification area
Publication Date: 2021.08.25 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3525530B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3525530B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3525530B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed are a method for determining, by a terminal, whether a specific cell belongs to a radio access network (RAN)-based notification area in a wireless communication system and a device for supporting the same. The method comprises the steps of: receiving, from a network, configuration for a RAN-based notification area including at least one of an ID of an area comprising a plurality of cells or a cell ID; receiving, from a specific cell, system information including an ID of the specific cell and an ID of an area comprising the specific cell; and determining whether the specific cell belongs to the RAN-based notification area, on the basis of the configuration for the RAN-based notification area and the system information.