UE Handover Release Preference Indication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless networks lack standardized support for user equipment (UEs) managing multiple concurrent subscriptions to different public land mobile networks (PLMNs), leading to inefficiencies and misunderstandings during state transitions, particularly when UEs need to switch between PLMNs, resulting in potential data loss and latency issues.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of methods for UEs and network nodes to manage reduced-energy states, such as RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE, through explicit indications and timer management during handovers, ensuring consistent state transitions and avoiding misunderstandings between UEs and network nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If UEs manage multiple concurrent subscriptions to different PLMNs without standardized support, then device versatility is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to misunderstandings during state transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The network node sends a handover command to the UE before the UE actually transitions to the target cell, including an indication that the release preference timer should be stopped. This preliminary action ensures the UE understands the network's intent before the state transition occurs, preventing misunderstandings and ensuring reliable state management during multi-PLMN operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the network node communicates release preference timer status to the UE through handover commands. The UE acknowledges this information and adjusts its timer management accordingly, creating a closed-loop communication that ensures both parties have consistent understanding of the state transition timing
2Ease of operation
If UEs autonomously manage release preference timers during handovers, then operation flexibility is improved, but data loss risk increases due to timing misunderstandings
Solution Approach 1:
The handover command acts as an intermediary message that carries the network's release preference timer indication from the network node to the UE. This intermediary communication ensures that the UE's autonomous timer management is guided by network intent, preventing premature or incorrect timer expiration that could lead to data loss
Solution Approach 2:
The network node provides timer management instructions to the UE in advance through the handover command, before the actual handover execution. This allows the UE to configure its timer correctly ahead of time, ensuring continuous data reception without gaps that would occur if the timer expired prematurely
3Device complexity
If handovers are performed without explicit release preference indications, then procedure simplicity is maintained, but latency increases due to state transition misunderstandings
Solution Approach 1:
The release preference timer indication is included in the handover command message that is already being sent to the UE during the handover procedure. This preliminary inclusion of timing information eliminates the need for separate signaling messages, maintaining procedure simplicity while ensuring the UE has the necessary information to execute the handover without delays
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the release preference timer indication with the existing handover command message structure. By merging these two pieces of information into a single communication, the system avoids additional signaling overhead and message exchanges, thereby reducing handover latency while maintaining clear timer management instructions
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments include methods for a user equipment (UE) configured with user credentials for a plurality of public land mobile networks (PLMNs). Such methods include, while registered in first and second PLMNs and in a connected state for the first PLMN. transmitting to a first network node in the first PLMN a first indication that the UE wants to enter a reduced-energy state for the first PLMN. Such methods include initiating a timer upon transmitting the first indication. subsequently performing a handover to a second network node in the first PLMN, and performing one or more of the following: transmitting to the second network node a second indication that the UE wants to enter the reduced-energy state for the first PLMN; and stopping the timer. Other embodiments include complementary methods for the first and second network nodes. as well as UEs and network nodes configured to perform such methods.