Small Data Transmission Without Path Switch in 5G RAN
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in 5G networks is efficiently supporting small data transmission without a path switch procedure during state transitions, particularly from an inactive state to a connected state, which affects the 5G RAN architecture and wireless device communication.
Innovation Solution
A method for a gNB in a wireless communication system that involves receiving an anchor kept indication or a small data indication to skip the path switch procedure, allowing for efficient data forwarding tunnel establishment between the last serving gNB and the new gNB without relocating the UE context, thereby reducing unnecessary signaling and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the path switch procedure is performed during state transition from inactive to connected state, then the UE context is reliably transferred to the new serving gNB, but the signaling overhead and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of UE context transfer from the complete path switch procedure. By separating the context retrieval and forwarding functions from the full path switch sequence, the system achieves reliable context transfer while eliminating unnecessary signaling steps that consume power.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing the data forwarding tunnel and retrieving UE context before the actual state transition is needed. The anchor kept indication is prepared in advance, allowing the system to skip the path switch procedure during the actual transition, thereby reducing real-time power consumption while ensuring reliability.
2Reliability
If the path switch procedure is performed during state transition, then the UE context is transferred to the new serving gNB, but the signaling overhead and transmission time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of UE context transfer from the complete path switch procedure. By separating the context retrieval and forwarding functions from the full path switch sequence, the system achieves reliable context transfer while eliminating unnecessary signaling steps that consume time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing the data forwarding tunnel and retrieving UE context before the actual state transition is needed. The anchor kept indication is prepared in advance, allowing the system to skip the path switch procedure during the actual transition, thereby reducing real-time signaling delay while ensuring reliability.
3Loss of energy
If the anchor kept indication is used to skip path switch procedure, then the signaling overhead is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism - the anchor kept indication - that mediates between the old and new serving gNBs. This indication carries essential context information, allowing the new gNB to retrieve and forward UE context without executing the full path switch procedure, thereby reducing signaling overhead while managing complexity through standardized information exchange.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for small data transmission without a path switch procedure in a wireless communication system is provided. A new gNB, which is a radio access network (RAN) node to which a wireless device attempts a connection resume procedure while in an inactive state, receives an anchor kept indication and/or a small data indication from a last serving gNB. The anchor kept indication indicates that the last serving gNB keeps a user equipment (UE) context and/or a UE-associated NG connection with the core network. The small data indication indicates not relocating a UE context from the last serving gNB to the new gNB.