RRC Signaling for Core Network Access Control Updates

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Solution Overview

Problem

In current communication systems, user equipment (UE) cannot update access control information when handovers occur, especially in non-cell dedicated channel states, leading to improper access requests to the core network, causing load imbalances and performance issues.

Innovation Solution

A serving radio access network node determines changes in access control information and sends Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling through a dedicated control channel to notify the UE, allowing timely updates and proper access decisions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If access control information is broadcast only through system broadcast messages at cell level, then the implementation is simple and follows existing protocols, but the user equipment cannot update access control information during handovers especially in non-cell dedicated channel states

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess control information update reliabilityVSAvoidsignaling mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces RRC signaling as an intermediary mechanism to transmit access control information. Instead of relying solely on system broadcast messages, the RRC signaling acts as a dedicated communication channel between the network and UE, ensuring that access control information is reliably delivered even during handovers when the UE is in non-cell dedicated channel states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by proactively pushing access control information to the UE through RRC signaling before the UE attempts to access the core network. This ensures that the UE has the latest access control information available, particularly important during handovers where the UE might otherwise rely on outdated broadcast information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the user equipment relies on reading system broadcast messages to update access control information, then the mechanism is simple and uses existing broadcast infrastructure, but the user equipment cannot read system broadcast messages while in non-cell dedicated channel states during data transmission

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess control information acquisitionVSAvoidaccess control information availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

RRC signaling serves as an intermediary that delivers access control information directly to the UE without requiring the UE to read system broadcast messages. This is particularly valuable when the UE is in non-cell dedicated channel states where reading broadcast messages is not feasible, ensuring continuous availability of access control information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The network automatically pushes access control information to the UE through RRC signaling, eliminating the need for the UE to actively read and parse system broadcast messages. This self-service mechanism ensures that the UE receives updated information passively, improving ease of operation while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Stability of the object's composition

If access control information is not updated during handovers, then the system maintains stability and avoids frequent updates, but the user equipment makes improper access requests to the core network causing load imbalances

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem stabilityVSAvoidcore network access efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by updating access control information through RRC signaling during the handover process itself, before the UE attempts to access the core network with potentially outdated information. This maintains system stability while ensuring that access control decisions are based on current information, improving core network access efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by monitoring handover events and triggering RRC signaling updates when handovers occur. This feedback mechanism ensures that access control information is synchronized with the current network state, preventing improper access requests while maintaining overall system stability through controlled, event-driven updates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2822327B1Core network access control method und network device
Publication Date: 2022.05.04 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP2822327B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2A
  • EP2822327B1 patent drawingFigure 2B~3
  • EP2822327B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention discloses a method, a network device, and a user equipment for controlling access to a core network. The method includes: determining that a change occurs in access control information for controlling a user equipment to access a core network; and sending radio resource control signaling to the user equipment through a dedicated control channel, where the radio resource control signaling is used to notify the user equipment that a change occurs in the access control information, so that the user equipment updates the access control information. With the method, the network device, and the user equipment for controlling access to the core network in embodiments of the present invention, when the network device determines that a change occurs in access control information, the user equipment is notified through a dedicated control channel. Therefore, the user equipment can update the access control information in time, and further the user equipment can properly determine whether to access the core network. Therefore, a load of a core network node can be effectively controlled, and system performance is improved.