UE Idle to Connected State Transition via Pre-configured NAS Identity
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Solution Overview
Problem
In Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, the process of switching user equipment (UE) from an idle state to a connected state is inefficient due to the need for multiple signaling interactions with the base station, leading to high overheads in air interface signaling and energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
The method involves determining if there is uplink information to be transmitted by the UE in an idle state and sending a first request message to an access network device using stored air interface identity information and non-access stratum (NAS) information, allowing direct access to the access and core network devices, thereby reducing the number of air interface signaling interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the UE follows the traditional random access process to switch from idle state to connected state, then the connection can be established reliably, but the signaling interaction requires multiple steps resulting in high overheads and low efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The network pre-configures the UE with air interface identity information and NAS information while the UE is in idle state. When the UE needs to transition to connected state, it can directly use this pre-configured information to establish connection without going through traditional multi-step random access signaling, thus improving efficiency while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the traditional multi-step random access signaling process from the state transition procedure. By using pre-configured air interface identity information and NAS information, the essential connection establishment elements are separated from the complex signaling interaction, reducing overheads while preserving the core connection establishment function
2Reliability
If the UE uses traditional random access signaling to establish data transmission channel, then the connection can be established with proper authentication, but the process consumes more energy and time due to multiple signaling interactions
Solution Approach 1:
Authentication and connection parameters are prepared in advance while the UE is in idle state. The air interface identity information and NAS information are pre-configured with authentication credentials, so when state transition is needed, the UE can immediately use this pre-prepared information to establish connection rapidly without time-consuming signaling exchanges
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified copy of the connection establishment process by using pre-configured air interface identity information that contains essential authentication and connection parameters. This copy allows rapid state transition while maintaining the reliability of authentication and connection establishment through the pre-validated information
3Reliability
If the UE performs multiple signaling interactions with the base station, then proper connection establishment and authentication can be achieved, but the air interface signaling overheads increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential authentication and connection establishment elements from the complex multi-step signaling process. By using pre-configured air interface identity information and NAS information, only minimal signaling is required on the air interface, removing the bulk of signaling overhead while preserving authentication reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-configured air interface identity information acts as an intermediary that carries essential authentication and connection parameters. This intermediary enables the UE to establish connection with minimal air interface signaling while maintaining reliability, as the intermediary contains all necessary validated information prepared in advance
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention discloses an information transmission method, user equipment, an access network device, and a core network device. The method includes: determining, by user equipment UE when the UE is in an idle state, whether there is to-be-transmitted uplink information; and sending, by the UE, a first request message to a first access network device when the UE determines that there is to-be-transmitted uplink information, where the first request message is a first air interface message for the UE to switch from the idle state to a connected state, and the first request message carries uplink non-access stratum NAS information and air interface identity information that is stored on the UE. According to the information transmission method, the user equipment, the access network device, and the core network device in the embodiments of the present invention, when the user equipment is switched from the idle state to the connected state, by directly carrying the NAS information in the first air interface message, the user equipment can rapidly establish a NAS signaling connection, thereby reducing overheads of air interface signaling.