RAN Tracking Area Management for Wireless Terminals

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, particularly in LTE and future 5G networks with numerous nodes of small coverage, terminals in RRC idle or inactive connection states experience frequent mobility processes, leading to poor user experience and low network efficiency due to conventional cell settings and operations.

Innovation Solution

A method is introduced where a terminal in an RRC idle or inactive connection state sends a radio access network tracking area (RTA) update request to its resident base station, which determines if it is the anchor base station and updates the RTA information accordingly, reducing the need for frequent handovers and signaling to the core network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If conventional cell settings and operations are used in future networks with numerous nodes of small coverage, then each node can provide localized service coverage, but terminals experience frequent mobility processes leading to poor user experience and low network efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage area of each base stationVSAvoidnetwork efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple small coverage areas into a larger RAN tracking area, allowing terminals to move across multiple base stations without triggering frequent handovers. This combines the coverage of multiple base stations into a single tracking area, reducing mobility process frequency while maintaining localized service capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the network management into two levels: RAN tracking area level for mobility management and base station level for local resource management. This segmentation allows terminals to perform cell reselection at the base station level without triggering handover procedures, reducing network signaling overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of stationary object

If conventional cell settings and operations are used in future networks with numerous nodes of small coverage, then each node can provide localized service coverage, but user experience deteriorates due to frequent mobility processes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage area of each base stationVSAvoiduser experience

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If terminals perform frequent handovers among cells in conventional settings, then they can maintain connection with the network, but signaling load increases and network efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces the RAN tracking area as an intermediary layer between the terminal and the core network. This intermediary allows mobility to be managed at the RAN level without involving the core network, reducing signaling load on the core network while maintaining connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Device complexity

If a single node or small number of nodes constitute one cell, then each base station can be independently managed, but terminals experience frequent mobility processes and poor network efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebase station management independenceVSAvoidnetwork efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple base station coverages into a single RAN tracking area, allowing terminals to move across multiple base stations without triggering handovers. This maintains independent base station management while improving network efficiency by reducing mobility process frequency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10999702B2Method for managing wireless system area, terminal and base station

Publication Date: 2021.05.04 DATANG MOBILE COMM EQUIP CO LTD

AI summary

A method for managing a wireless system area, a terminal and a base station are provided. A new location management area for the terminal in an inactive connection state/RRC idle state is defined. The process of moving among different nodes in the area is simplified.