SCG Configuration Management in 5G RRC Inactive State

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Solution Overview

Problem

In a 5G communication system, user equipment (UE) in the RRC_INACTIVE state may move without notification, leading to invalid secondary cell group (SCG) configurations, and incoming data or signaling may not necessitate resuming an invalid SCG configuration, requiring efficient management of SCG configurations upon RAN paging.

Innovation Solution

The UE manages SCG configurations by determining whether to keep or release the configuration based on RAN paging messages, including indicators for data or signaling arrival at secondary nodes, ensuring valid configurations during RRC resume procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the UE keeps the SCG configuration in RRC_INACTIVE state, then data and signaling can be received directly when SCG bearer is resumed, but the SCG configuration may become invalid when the UE moves within the pre-configured RNA

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata reception efficiencyVSAvoidSCG configuration validity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The UE performs RNA update procedures before the SCG configuration becomes invalid, proactively refreshing the configuration validity status. This preliminary action prevents the configuration from becoming invalid in the first place, resolving the contradiction between maintaining configuration for efficient data reception and ensuring configuration validity during mobility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the UE reports RNA update status and configuration validity to the network. The network uses this feedback to determine whether to page the UE and whether SCG configuration resumption is necessary, dynamically adjusting the system behavior based on current configuration validity status.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If the UE resumes SCG configuration upon receiving RAN paging, then incoming data and signaling can be handled, but unnecessary configuration resumptions occur when SCG configuration is already valid

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata handling capabilityVSAvoidconfiguration resumption time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The UE dynamically adjusts its behavior based on the current validity status of the SCG configuration. When the configuration is valid, the UE maintains it without resumption. When invalid, the UE performs resumption or RNA update. This dynamic adaptation eliminates unnecessary resumption operations while ensuring configuration validity when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of SCG configuration management based on validity status. The UE monitors configuration validity as a key parameter and adjusts its resumption behavior accordingly, transitioning between different operational states (resume vs. maintain) based on the parameter change.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the UE frequently updates RNA to maintain SCG configuration validity, then configuration remains valid during mobility, but signaling overhead and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSCG configuration validityVSAvoidenergy consumption for RNA update
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by having the network predict when SCG configuration may become invalid and proactively manage the validity status. The network can trigger RNA updates or configuration refreshes before invalidation occurs, reducing the need for frequent UE-initiated updates and lowering energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The network acts as an intermediary in the RNA update process. Instead of the UE frequently initiating updates, the network monitors configuration validity and triggers updates only when necessary, mediating between the UE's mobility needs and the configuration validity requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3653018B1Method and apparatus for keeping SCG configuration
Publication Date: 2022.03.09 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3653018B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3653018B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3653018B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Provided are a method for keeping, by a user equipment (UE), a secondary cell group (SCG) configuration in a wireless communication system, and an apparatus supporting the same. The method may include: receiving radio access network (RAN) paging message from a base station; determining whether or not to keep a SCG configuration stored in the UE, based on the RAN paging message; and if the RAN paging message includes information related to a secondary base station, keeping the SCG configuration in an RRC resume procedure.