Early Connection Release Mechanism for UE Battery Conservation
Solution Overview
Problem
In UMTS networks, poor radio conditions can lead to unnecessary battery consumption due to the requirement for UE to wait 10 seconds for a connection release, as the eNodeB may assume the UE is out-of-service if an RLC AM status PDU fails to reach it, causing continued retransmissions and battery drain.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an early connection release mechanism based on an early connection release timer set according to RLC AM parameters, allowing the UE to release the connection before the standard 10-second wait, thereby saving battery life and reducing unnecessary resource usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UE waits for the standard 10-second timer to ensure proper connection release, then connection release reliability is improved, but battery consumption increases due to unnecessary resource maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by initiating an early connection release timer based on RLC AM parameters (t-PollRetransmit and maxRetxThreshold) before the standard 10-second timer expires. This allows the UE to proactively determine connection release timing based on actual radio conditions, avoiding unnecessary battery consumption while maintaining reliable connection release through the configured retransmission parameters.
2Reliability
If the eNodeB continues retransmitting RLC AM status PDU in poor radio conditions, then message delivery reliability is improved, but unnecessary battery drain occurs at the UE
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the connection release timing based on RLC AM parameters (t-PollRetransmit and maxRetxThreshold) rather than using a fixed 10-second timer. This allows the system to adapt to varying radio conditions, releasing connections earlier when retransmissions are likely to fail, thereby reducing battery drain while maintaining adequate message delivery reliability through the configured retransmission parameters.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, device and methodology for releasing a connection between user equipment (UE) and a node in a communications network is disclosed. The method includes, at the UE, responsive to an application layer indication that no further data is expected by the UE, receiving a RRC connection release message from the node and transmitting, from the UE, a radio link control (RLC) status message using RLC acknowledged mode (AM) to the node. An early connection release timer at the UE and node based on RLC AM parameters for a signal radio bearer (SRB) is started and upon expiry of the early connection release timer, the node releases the RRC connection. This obviates the need to wait a full 10 s per the 3GPP standard to release the connection during periods of poor radio connectivity, and reduces power consumption at the UE.