Adaptive Inactivity Timer for UE Connection State Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for maintaining user equipment (UE) in a connection state to minimize state transitions and reduce signaling overheads lead to increased power consumption, inefficient control channel usage, and excessive handover signaling, especially for fast-moving UEs, due to prolonged connection times and inadequate configuration.
Innovation Solution
A system and method where the eNB and core network element collaborate to determine connection state assistive parameters, including discontinuous reception parameters and inactivity timers, based on UE-specific information and mobility reports, to optimize the UE's connection state and reduce unnecessary transitions and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the eNB employs a very long user inactivity timer to keep UE in connection state, then signaling overhead is reduced, but UE power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the inactivity timer configurable and adaptable rather than fixed. The eNB can dynamically adjust the inactivity timer value based on UE-specific conditions such as mobility state, service type, and traffic patterns. This allows the system to optimize the balance between keeping UE connected (reducing signaling overhead) and allowing connection release (reducing power consumption) on a per-UE basis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of inactivity timer from a fixed value to a configurable parameter that can be adjusted based on various factors including UE mobility state, service requirements, and network conditions. This parameter change enables flexible optimization where the timer can be set longer for low-mobility UEs to reduce signaling, while being shorter for high-mobility UEs to allow connection release and save power.
2Loss of energy
If the eNB keeps UE in connection state for long periods, then RRC connection establishment signaling is reduced, but control channel efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the connection duration dynamic by introducing configurable inactivity timers that adapt to UE behavior. Instead of keeping all UEs connected indefinitely, the system dynamically determines connection duration based on observed UE activity patterns, mobility, and service requirements. This prevents control channel resource waste from excessively long connections while maintaining connections long enough to avoid frequent RRC establishment signaling.
3Loss of energy
If the eNB uses long inactivity timer to minimize state transitions, then signaling overhead is reduced, but handover signaling increases for fast moving UEs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by introducing mobility state detection and adaptive inactivity timer configuration. The eNB monitors UE mobility characteristics and dynamically adjusts the inactivity timer accordingly. For fast-moving UEs, the timer is configured shorter to allow timely connection release, preventing excessive handover signaling. For stationary or slow-moving UEs, the timer is configured longer to minimize state transitions and signaling overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the inactivity timer parameter based on detected mobility state. The system measures UE mobility characteristics and adjusts the timer value as a function of mobility state, service type, and other factors. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction by using longer timers for low-mobility UEs (reducing signaling) and shorter timers for high-mobility UEs (reducing handover overhead).
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the invention is providing methods, apparatuses and a system for determining connection state assistive parameters. Compared with the prior art, according to the present invention, the core network element obtains the connection release time information and radio access network assistance information corresponding to the user equipment sent by the e NB, and when the user equipment transmits a request for network access service to the core network element, the core network element determines core network assistance information corresponding to the request for network access service based on the aforementioned information, and then transmits the core network assistance information to the e NB to act as connection state assistive parameters corresponding to the user equipment. Thereby, the present invention may enable the e NB to adjust/optimize the connection state assistive parameters corresponding to the e NB and the user equipment through providing ore network assistance information to the e NB by the core network element, reduce the transitions frequency between the idle state and the connection state, minimize transmission of network signaling, and reduce user equipment power consumption.