UE Handover Security Context Switching for Lower Power Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing handover methods in wireless communication systems, such as LTE and NR, face challenges in managing handover interruptions, resource usage, and power consumption due to the need for dual security contexts during make-before-break handovers, particularly for UEs with dual radio chains.
Innovation Solution
A method where a UE receives a handover command message with parameters for deriving a security context for the target access node and switches the security context when a predefined criterion is met, allowing for a single active PDCP context at any given time, reducing resource usage and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dual security contexts are maintained during make-before-break handover, then handover reliability is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the security context configuration adaptive rather than static. The UE dynamically switches between single and dual security context modes based on handover conditions. The source access node dynamically determines whether to provide security context parameters for the target access node based on whether it is configured as a security context anchoring node, allowing the system to adapt its complexity to actual needs while maintaining reliability when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of security context configuration from a fixed dual-context requirement to a variable parameter that can be set to single or dual context based on network conditions and node configuration. The key parameter change is whether the source access node is configured as a security context anchoring node, which determines if security context parameters for the target node are provided, thus controlling the transition between single and dual security context modes.
2Reliability
If dual security contexts are maintained during make-before-break handover, then handover reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes power consumption dynamic by allowing the UE to operate in low-power single security context mode during normal operation and only transition to higher-power dual security context mode when the source access node is configured as a security context anchoring node and handover conditions require it. This dynamic adaptation reduces unnecessary power consumption while maintaining reliability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the power consumption parameter by controlling the security context configuration parameter. When the source access node is not configured as a security context anchoring node, the system uses single security context mode with lower power consumption. When configured as such, the system transitions to dual security context mode with higher power consumption but improved reliability, thus optimizing the power-reliability tradeoff.
3Quantity of substance
If single active PDCP context is used during handover, then resource usage is reduced, but handover interruption may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the source access node pre-determine its configuration as a security context anchoring node before handover. This allows the UE to know in advance whether to prepare for single or dual security context mode, enabling smoother transitions and reducing handover interruption time while optimizing resource usage based on pre-established conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A method performed in a User Equipment, UE, for handling handover from a source access node to a target access node is provided. The UE receives (501) a handover command message from the source access node. The handover command message includes parameters required for deriving a security context associated with the target access node. The UE establishes (502) a radio connection with the target access node. When detecting (503) that a security context switching criterion is fulfilled, the UE stops (504) to use a security context associated with the source access node.