Release Cause Configuration for UE Power Saving

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, particularly in 5G and pre-5G networks, the expiration of the data inactivity timer leads to unnecessary NAS signaling recovery procedures, which increase power consumption and mismatch with the intended state transition to idle, as the UE initiates tracking area updates despite the intention to leave the connected state.

Innovation Solution

Configuring a release cause that prevents the UE from initiating a random access procedure upon expiration of the data inactivity timer, either autonomously or based on instructions from the base station, allowing the UE to transition directly to an idle state without performing unnecessary NAS recovery mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the UE performs NAS signaling recovery procedure (tracking area update) upon RRC connection failure, then the NAS signaling connection is recovered, but the power consumption increases and the UE cannot transition to idle state as intended

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveNAS signaling connection recoveryVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the release cause parameter from 'RRC connection failure' to 'other' when the data inactivity timer expires. This parameter change prevents the UE from initiating NAS recovery procedures while still allowing proper state transition to idle, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining connection reliability where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the UE initiates random access procedure for NAS recovery, then the tracking area update can be performed, but unnecessary procedures are executed increasing power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveNAS recovery mechanismVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by pre-configuring the release cause to prevent the UE from initiating random access procedures when the data inactivity timer expires. This preemptive measure stops unnecessary NAS recovery operations before they can consume additional power, while still allowing proper recovery mechanisms to function when actually needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Reliability

If the release cause is configured as 'RRC connection failure', then the UE can initiate recovery procedures, but the UE cannot properly transition to idle state for power saving

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection recoveryVSAvoidstate transition timing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the release cause parameter based on the expiration of the data inactivity timer. When the timer expires, the release cause is set to 'other' instead of 'RRC connection failure', which allows the UE to transition to idle state without triggering unnecessary recovery procedures, thus optimizing both reliability and state transition timing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11219088B2Method and apparatus for configuring release cause

Publication Date: 2022.01.04 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

Provided is a method for configuring a release cause by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system. The method may include: receiving a configuration of inactivity timer, from a base station (BS); when the data inactivity timer is expired, configuring the release cause for leaving connected state, wherein the configured release cause prevents the UE from initiating a random access procedure.