User Equipment Network Transition Path Memorization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems, particularly 5G NR, face challenges in seamless inter-generation network transitions for user equipment (UE), leading to inefficient procedures and potential registration failures when moving between different radio access technologies (RAT) like 5G, 4G, 2G/3G networks, due to lack of interworking support.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a scheme where the UE memorizes its previous network transition path using an attempt counter to determine whether a direct or indirect transition is necessary, thereby selecting the appropriate registration or update procedure, such as TAU, RAU, or initial attach procedures, based on previous success or failure, to facilitate smooth inter-system changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the UE performs repeated registration attempts when transitioning between RAT networks, then the reliability of network registration is improved, but the loss of time and network efficiency deteriorate due to multiple failed attempts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork registration reliabilityVSAvoidregistration attempt time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The UE performs preliminary actions by memorizing the transition path (storing information about previous RAT networks in the transition path) before attempting registration. This allows the UE to predict whether a direct or indirect transition is needed, preventing repeated failed registration attempts and reducing time loss while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If the UE uses a simple transition procedure without path memorization, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different network transition scenarios deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransition procedure complexityVSAvoidnetwork transition adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The transition procedure is segmented into distinct cases (direct transition vs. indirect transition) based on the memorized path. The UE stores transition path information in a structured way that allows it to identify the specific scenario and apply the appropriate procedure, achieving high adaptability without significantly increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the UE performs indirect transitions through intermediate networks, then the reliability of reaching the target network is improved, but the loss of time due to additional transition steps increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransition success rateVSAvoidtransition time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The UE performs preliminary analysis by examining the stored transition path information before initiating the transition. This allows it to determine in advance whether a direct or indirect transition is appropriate, optimizing the balance between reliability and time by selecting the most efficient path based on historical success data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4391655A1Improvements to user equipment moving from a one generation network to another generation network
Publication Date: 2024.06.26 MEDIATEK SINGAPORE PTE LTD
  • EP4391655A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4391655A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4391655A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In an aspect of the disclosure, a user equipment (104, 710) and a method of performing a radio access technology network change by the user equipment (104, 710) are provided. In certain configurations, the user equipment (104, 710) performs first inter-system change from a first radio access technology network to a second radio access technology network. In response to failing the first inter-system change, the user equipment (104, 710) performs second inter-system change from the second radio access technology network to a third radio access technology network by performing an initial attach procedure or an initial registration procedure in the third radio access technology network.