On-Demand SIB Request Control for 5G NR Signaling Overhead
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G NR networks, on-demand System Information Block (SIB) requests for reference signal configurations from user equipment (UE) in RRC Idle/Inactive mode can lead to excessive signaling overhead due to frequent requests, especially from highly mobile devices that switch between multiple beams and cells, resulting in unnecessary large SIB messages.
Innovation Solution
Implementing restrictions, such as a timer and specific criteria like threshold time, maximum cell reselections, minimum dwell time, mobility state, and reference signal received power (RSRP) thresholds, to limit the frequency and validity of on-demand SIB requests from UE in RRC Idle/Inactive mode, ensuring that SIBs are sent only when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If on-demand SIB requests are allowed frequently from UEs in RRC Idle/Inactive mode, then UEs can acquire reference signal configurations for synchronization and cell access, but signaling overhead increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of request frequency by introducing a timer mechanism and association duration threshold. The UE is restricted from sending on-demand SIB requests within a certain time window after a previous request, and must maintain association with the cell/beam for at least a threshold duration before requesting. This transforms the uncontrolled frequent requests into regulated spaced-out requests, reducing signaling overhead while preserving necessary synchronization opportunities.
Solution Approach 2:
The UE performs self-assessment of its association stability with the cell or beam before sending requests. The device monitors its own association duration and only initiates SIB requests when the association meets the threshold criteria, making the system self-regulating without requiring network intervention for each request decision.
2Reliability
If on-demand SIB requests are sent frequently by mobile UEs, then UEs can maintain synchronization, but network resource usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces temporal parameters (timer values, association duration thresholds) to control request frequency. By requiring UEs to wait for the timer to expire and maintain association for the threshold duration before requesting SIBs, the system transforms frequent resource-consuming requests into controlled, spaced-out requests, reducing overall network resource usage while maintaining synchronization reliability.
3Ease of operation
If no restrictions are imposed on SIB requests, then UEs can request reference signal configurations freely, but large SIB messages are sent unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The UE autonomously evaluates whether its current association state meets the threshold criteria before initiating SIB requests. This self-service mechanism allows UEs with stable associations to request freely while preventing UEs with transient associations from generating unnecessary requests, maintaining ease of operation for legitimate users while eliminating wasteful message transmissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by introducing association duration thresholds and timer constraints. These parameter changes transform the unrestricted request system into a conditional request system where freedom of operation is preserved for UEs meeting the criteria while preventing wasteful transmissions from UEs that don't meet the stability thresholds.
Data Source
AI summary
A method comprising: providing a user equipment (UE) with one or more restrictions, in addition to a timer, for limiting the UE to send on-demand System Information Block (SIB) requests regarding reference signal configurations for Radio Resource Control (RRC) Idle/Inactive UE mode; receiving an on-demand SIB request regarding reference signal configurations for RRC Idle/Inactive UE from the user equipment; and sending a reference signal configuration SIB to the user equipment.