RRC Inactive State for Signaling Load Reduction in Mobile Networks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing network load due to frequent connections and disconnections of radio terminals in mobile communication systems leads to higher signaling frequencies, which existing technologies have not effectively addressed, resulting in inefficiencies and increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A user equipment (UE) transitions to an RRC inactive state with maintained context information, using a timer for resuming connections, reducing signaling frequency and power consumption by limiting paging to a predetermined area, and optimizing state transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If radio terminals frequently connect to and disconnect from the network, then communication responsiveness is improved, but network signaling load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a specialized intermediate state (RRC inactive state) with specific local characteristics - context information is maintained in the network while the UE is not fully connected. This localized modification of the connection state allows the system to respond quickly to communication needs while avoiding the overhead of complete RRC connection establishment, thus improving responsiveness without proportionally increasing signaling load.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic state transitions between RRC connected, RRC inactive, and RRC idle states. The UE can transition to the inactive state when context is maintained, and quickly resume connection when needed, rather than repeatedly establishing full connections. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt connection depth to actual communication needs, reducing unnecessary signaling while maintaining responsiveness.
2Reliability
If radio terminals maintain frequent network connections, then communication availability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action through the RRC inactive state where the UE can quickly transition to connected state when communication is needed, rather than maintaining continuous connection. The network maintains context information periodically available, and the UE can resume connection within a configured time window, providing periodic availability checks without continuous power consumption of full connection mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating a specialized intermediate state (RRC inactive state) with specific local characteristics - context information is maintained in the network while the UE is not fully connected. This localized modification of the connection state allows the system to respond quickly to communication needs while avoiding the overhead of complete RRC connection establishment, thus improving responsiveness without proportionally increasing signaling load.
3Quantity of substance
If the RRC inactive state is introduced as an intermediate state, then signaling load is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the traditional binary connection state (connected/idle) into three distinct segments: RRC connected, RRC inactive, and RRC idle. Each segment has specific characteristics and transition rules. The RRC inactive state is segmented as an intermediate condition where context is maintained but full connection is not established, reducing signaling compared to full connection while providing more options than idle state.
Solution Approach 2:
The RRC inactive state acts as an intermediary between the fully connected and fully idle states. It provides a middle ground where the network maintains context information (unlike idle state) but the UE does not maintain full connection (unlike connected state). This intermediary state reduces signaling load by avoiding frequent full connection establishment while providing more capabilities than idle state, thus reducing overall system complexity despite adding one more state.
Data Source
AI summary
A user equipment, method, and apparatus for controlling user equipment receive, from a base station included in a network, a radio resource control (RRC) release message that causes the user equipment to transition to an RRC inactive state in which context information of the user equipment is maintained in the network. The RRC inactive state is a different state from an RRC connected state and an RRC idle state, and the RRC release message includes information indicating a value of a timer used for performing an RRC resume procedure. The timer is started upon receiving the RRC release massage, and the RRC resume procedure is performed when the timer expires.