Suspended Radio Connection Resumption for Small Data Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication technologies face challenges in managing small data transmission for user equipment (UE) in inactive or idle states, particularly in transitioning from RRC_INACTIVE to RRC_CONNECTED states, with unclear methods for transmitting RRCResumeRequest messages and resuming suspended radio connections during Small Data Transmission (SDT) procedures.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for managing small data transmission in wireless communication systems, involving a UE that sends a request to resume a suspended radio connection, transmits uplink data, and receives an indication of connection resumption, utilizing security functions like integrity protection and encryption to ensure secure data transmission without transitioning to RRC_CONNECTED state.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the UE transitions to RRC_CONNECTED state to transmit uplink data, then reliable data transmission is achieved, but latency increases and network resources are consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidstate transition latency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the connection state into RRC_INACTIVE (for small data transmission) and RRC_CONNECTED (for full data transmission), allowing UEs to remain in a low-latency inactive state for small packets while only transitioning to connected state when necessary for larger or more reliable transmissions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the network can suspend and resume RRC connections without full state transitions, acting as a mediator between the inactive and connected states to enable flexible data transmission

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of time

If the UE remains in RRC_INACTIVE state for small data transmission, then latency is reduced and resources are saved, but security protection may be insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestate transition timeVSAvoiddata security

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary security measures by establishing security contexts and keys in advance during the RRC_INACTIVE state, so that when data transmission occurs, security protection is already in place without requiring full state transitions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses an intermediary security mechanism that maintains security contexts during the suspended state, allowing secure data transmission without full connection resumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of energy

If the network suspends the RRC connection during inactivity, then energy consumption is reduced, but the method for resuming connection and transmitting data becomes unclear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork energy consumptionVSAvoidconnection resumption procedure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the network monitors UE activity and automatically resumes the RRC connection when data transmission is detected, eliminating the need for complex manual resumption procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables self-service operation where the UE automatically triggers connection resumption when data is available for transmission, without requiring manual intervention or complex network coordination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Productivity

If the UE transmits RRCResumeRequest message during SDT procedure, then connection resumption is initiated, but the transmission method and protocol handling is unclear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection resumption speedVSAvoidprotocol handling complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the RRCResumeRequest message transmission with the existing SDT procedure, combining connection resumption initiation with the small data transmission process to simplify protocol handling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the SDT procedure universal by enabling it to handle both small data transmission and connection resumption functions within a single unified procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250274970A1Method and Apparatus for Managing Small Data Transmission in Protocol Operations

Publication Date: 2025.08.28 GOOGLE LLC

AI summary

In a user equipment (UE), an upper layer of a protocol communication stack sends, to a layer associated with controlling radio resources, a request to resume a suspended radio connection between the UE and a radio access network (RAN). The upper layer sends, to a lower layer and subsequently to the sending of the request, uplink data for transmission to a radio access network (RAN). The upper layer then receives, after a procedure for sending the uplink data with the suspended radio connection is completed, an indication of whether the suspended radio connection between the UE and the RAN has been resumed.