Inactive UE Context Relocation in Non-Terrestrial Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing the transition of user equipment (UE) between active and inactive states, particularly in non-terrestrial network (NTN) environments, which can lead to data transmission delays and connectivity gaps.
Innovation Solution
The method involves performing an access stratum (AS) context relocation operation and a path switch operation between network nodes to efficiently manage the UE's transition to an inactive state, allowing for seamless resumption of communication when the UE becomes active again, especially in NTN scenarios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the UE transitions to inactive state in traditional wireless networks, then power consumption is reduced and basic connectivity is maintained, but data transmission delays increase and connectivity gaps occur during resumption
Solution Approach 1:
The network node performs AS context relocation operation and path switch operation in advance when the UE transitions to inactive state. This preliminary action ensures that the UE context is already relocated to the appropriate target network node before the UE needs to resume communication, eliminating delays during resumption and maintaining consistent connectivity across NTN and terrestrial networks.
2Speed
If the UE context is maintained at the original network node, then resumption is simple, but latency increases and signaling overhead increases when the UE moves to a different coverage area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a path switch operation as an intermediary mechanism that redirects data paths to the target network node where the UE context has been relocated. This intermediary path switch ensures that even though the context is maintained at the target node (improving availability), the data transmission can quickly route to the correct node (maintaining speed), resolving the contradiction between context availability and resumption efficiency.
3Productivity
If traditional inactive state management is used in NTN environments, then device complexity is reduced, but data transmission delays increase and connectivity gaps occur during state transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the inactive state management process into distinct operations: AS context relocation operation and path switch operation. By dividing the complex state transition into manageable segments, the system can efficiently handle UE context management in NTN environments without overwhelming complexity, thereby improving data transmission efficiency while maintaining acceptable device complexity levels.
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, an apparatus may communicate with a user equipment (UE) during an active state of the UE in accordance with a first UE configuration. The apparatus may perform, associated with a second network node and based on a determination to switch the UE to an inactive state, an access stratum (AS) context relocation operation and a path switch operation associated with the second network node. Numerous other aspects are described.