UE-Assisted RRC State Transition for Signaling Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, particularly in 5G NR, the transition from RRC connected to RRC idle or inactive states is resource-intensive and time-consuming, requiring significant signaling and resource expenditure, which can lead to increased power consumption and signaling overhead.
Innovation Solution
User Equipment (UE) is enabled to indicate its preferred RRC state (either RRC idle or inactive) to the base station when releasing the RRC connection, allowing the UE to optimize its transition and reduce resource usage, with the base station determining the transition based on the received preference indication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the network determines the RRC state transition without UE assistance, then the network maintains full control over connection management, but the signaling overhead and resource expenditure increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The UE autonomously determines its preferred RRC state (idle or inactive) based on its own traffic patterns and service requirements, then communicates this preference to the network. This self-service approach reduces network signaling overhead while still achieving optimal state transitions, as the UE serves itself in identifying the most appropriate state rather than requiring extensive network-directed signaling exchanges.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the UE transitions to RRC idle state, then power consumption is reduced, but the transition time and message exchanges increase
Solution Approach 1:
The network pre-configures the UE with RRC release assistance information including both idle and inactive state options before the actual state transition occurs. This preliminary action allows the UE to make an informed decision about the optimal state to transition to, reducing the time required for state determination and message exchanges while still achieving power savings by transitioning to a low-power state when appropriate.
3Reliability
If the network releases RRC connection with full signaling, then connection management is thorough and reliable, but resource expenditure and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of performing a complete RRC connection release with full signaling exchanges, the network implements partial action by releasing only the necessary connection elements while maintaining other context information. The network sends an RRC release message with assistance information that enables the UE to determine its preferred state, achieving reliable connection management with reduced signaling overhead and improved release efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
UEs may want to switch to the RRC idle state or to the RRC inactive state sooner than the expiration of the timer or without having to wait for the network to release the RRC connection. Allowing the UE to increase the rate at which it transitions to RRC idle state or RRC inactive state may allow the UE to reduce power consumption, as well as reduce signaling resources. The apparatus determines a preference between a transition to an RRC inactive state or to an RRC idle state when an RRC connection is released. The apparatus sends, to a base station, an RRC state preference indication of the preference for transitioning upon release of the RRC connection from the RRC connected state to one of the RRC inactive state or to the RRC idle state.