Terminal Device State Control via Inactive RNA Update
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Solution Overview
Problem
The 5G mobile communications technology lacks a method to efficiently control the status of terminal devices in an inactive state, leading to redundant signaling overheads and increased power consumption during RNA updates and data packet transmissions.
Innovation Solution
A method where a terminal device in an inactive state sends a request message to a network device, which instructs the device to directly enter an idle or inactive state without switching to a connected state, reducing signaling overheads and power consumption by optimizing state transitions through request and response messages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a terminal device in inactive state performs RNA update by switching to connected state first, then signaling overheads increase and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of RNA update (notifying network of terminal's new location) from the complex connected state transition process. By allowing direct RNA update in inactive state without requiring full connection reestablishment, the solution removes unnecessary signaling steps while maintaining update reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of following the traditional path of transitioning from inactive to connected state before RNA update, the patent inverts the approach by enabling RNA update directly in the inactive state. This reversal eliminates the need for state transition while achieving the same update objective, thereby reducing power consumption.
2Reliability
If a terminal device in inactive state performs RNA update by switching to connected state first, then signaling overheads increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of RNA update (notifying network of terminal's new location) from the complex connected state transition process. By allowing direct RNA update in inactive state without requiring full connection reestablishment, the solution removes unnecessary signaling steps while maintaining update reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by performing only the necessary RNA update function without executing the complete connected state transition sequence. This partial approach achieves the update objective while avoiding redundant signaling exchanges that would increase overhead.
3Loss of energy
If a terminal device directly enters idle or inactive state without switching to connected state, then power consumption reduces but state control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the network device receives RNA update information from the terminal in inactive state and responds with appropriate state transition instructions. This feedback loop enables simplified terminal behavior (direct state entry) while maintaining proper network control through responsive messaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal device is empowered to autonomously determine and execute state transitions (directly entering idle or inactive state) based on local conditions without requiring network authorization for each transition. This self-service capability reduces power consumption by eliminating unnecessary connected state interruptions while the network retains overall control through periodic updates.
Data Source
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AI summary
This application provides a method for controlling a status of a terminal device, a terminal device, and a network device. The method includes: sending, by a terminal device in an inactive state, a first request message to a first network device, where the first request message includes first identifier information of the terminal device; and receiving, by the terminal device, a first response message sent by the first network device, where the first response message is used to instruct the terminal device to enter an idle state or enter the inactive state. According to the method provided in this application, the terminal device in the inactive state sends a request message to the first network device, the first network device instructs the terminal device to directly enter the idle state or enter the inactive state, and the terminal device does not need to switch to a connected state in advance, so that signaling overheads can be reduced, and power consumption of the terminal device can be reduced.