RRC Connection Release Signaling Overhead Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing RRC connection release process in cellular networks generates a large quantity of signaling overheads, leading to network load overload, especially in scenarios with a high number of terminals performing small-sized packet transmissions, such as in the Cellular Internet of Things (CIoT) systems.
Innovation Solution
The method involves the UE and eNB exchanging messages with preset or dynamically determined RRC release times, allowing them to set timers for releasing RRC connections efficiently, and using endmarker indication packets to manage data transmission and connection releases, thereby reducing signaling overheads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the UE frequently switches between idle and connected states for small packet transmissions, then the connection can be maintained for data transmission, but a large quantity of signaling overheads are generated and network load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network side device pre-calculates and notifies the UE of the inactivity timer value before the connection release process begins. This preliminary action allows the UE to proactively release the RRC connection when the timer expires, avoiding the need for extensive release signaling exchange between UE and network, thereby reducing signaling overhead while maintaining data transmission capability
Solution Approach 2:
The UE autonomously releases the RRC connection based on the pre-notified inactivity timer value without requiring network intervention or additional signaling. The UE self-manages the connection release process by monitoring the timer and initiating release locally, which significantly reduces the signaling overhead associated with traditional network-controlled release procedures
2Loss of energy
If the inactivity timer is set to expire after data transmission, then the RRC connection can be released to save resources, but the network side device needs more processing resources to handle frequent connection setups
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the inactivity timer value notification from the traditional RRC release signaling process and implements it as a separate pre-notification mechanism. By extracting this parameter and notifying it in advance, the network simplifies the subsequent connection release process, reducing the processing load on network side devices while still achieving resource savings through timely connection releases
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the inactivity timer value based on network conditions and traffic patterns, and notifies this optimized value to the UE in advance. This parameter change approach allows the network to optimize resource consumption by adapting the timer value to current load conditions, thereby reducing overall network processing complexity while maintaining efficient resource utilization
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An RRC connection release method, apparatus, and device are provided. The method includes: sending, by UE, a first message to a base station, where the first message carries a preset RRC release time determining parameter or a first RRC release time; if the UE adds the first RRC release time to the first message, setting, by the UE, timing duration of a first timer based on the first RRC release time, and starting the first timer; or if the UE adds the preset RRC release time determining parameter to the first message, receiving, by the UE, a response message fed back by the base station for the first message, where the response message carries a second RRC release time determined by the base station based on the preset RRC release time determining parameter, setting, by the UE, timing duration of the first timer based on the second RRC release time, and starting the first timer; and releasing, by the UE, an RRC connection when the first timer expires. This greatly reduces signaling overheads in an RRC release process.