Low Power RRC State Management for 5G IoT Terminals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current 5G communication systems face challenges in managing radio resource control (RRC) states, leading to high power consumption due to conservative design philosophies based on voice calls, especially in light connectivity environments, which are not optimized for services like URLLC requiring low latency and high reliability.

Innovation Solution

A method for configuring and operating low power RRC states in terminals, allowing transitions to RRC inactive or idle states without S1 connection setup, using timers and feedback information to reduce connection waiting time and power consumption, and implementing per-service QoS-based aggregation control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the terminal maintains RRC connected state for voice call service design, then call quality and reliability are improved, but power consumption increases significantly in light connectivity environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecall qualityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic RRC state management by introducing multiple inactivity timers (drx-InactivityTimer, drxShortCycleTimer, drxLongCycleTimer, user-InactivityTimer) that automatically adjust the terminal's RRC state based on traffic activity patterns. The system transitions from static connected state to dynamic state transitions between connected, inactive, and idle modes, optimizing power consumption while maintaining service quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the RRC connected state into three distinct states: RRC connected, RRC inactive, and RRC idle. Each state has specific characteristics and transition conditions. The segmentation allows the terminal to operate in the most appropriate state based on traffic requirements, reducing power consumption in light connectivity scenarios while maintaining reliability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Use of energy by moving object

If the terminal transitions to RRC idle state to reduce power consumption, then power efficiency is improved, but connection setup time and latency increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower efficiencyVSAvoidconnection setup time

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary actions by maintaining DRX (Discontinuous Reception) configurations and inactivity timers before full RRC idle transitions. The terminal monitors for activity during DRX cycles and can quickly reactivate connections without full setup procedures. This preliminary monitoring and staged transition approach reduces both power consumption and connection setup time compared to direct idle state transitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If conservative RRC design based on voice calls is used, then service reliability is maintained, but adaptability to new services like URLLC deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice reliabilityVSAvoidservice adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by introducing service-specific QoS parameters and multiple timer configurations that can be adjusted based on service type. The system supports different inactivity timer values and DRX cycle lengths tailored to specific service requirements (eMBB, URLLC, mMTC), enabling the same RRC framework to adapt to diverse service needs while maintaining reliability through configurable parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If S1 connection setup and UE context creation are performed for each connection, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity and signaling overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements partial action by performing S1 connection setup and UE context creation only when absolutely necessary (during initial connection and specific state transitions). For lighter transitions between RRC states, the system uses simplified procedures that maintain connection reliability through timer-based mechanisms and context preservation, avoiding excessive signaling overhead while maintaining sufficient reliability for light connectivity scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS11582603B2Low power RRC operating method and device

Publication Date: 2023.02.14 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed are a communication technique of merging, with IoT technology, a 5G communication system for supporting a data transmission rate higher than that of a 4G system, and a system therefor. The disclosure can be applied to intelligent services (for example, smart home, smart building, smart city, smart car or connected car, health care, digital education, retail, security and safety related services, and the like) on the basis of 5G communication technology and IoT related technology. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a communication method of a base station comprises the steps of: determining an RRC state transition condition of a terminal; and transmitting information on the RRC state transition condition to the terminal, wherein the RRC state transition condition can include at least one timer for the transition between RRC states and/or information indicating an RRC state to be changed.