UE Bearer Synchronization via TAU for PDN Reconnection

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, particularly in LTE networks, there is a challenge with bearer synchronization between user equipment (UE) and the network, leading to potential rejections of connection requests when a UE disconnects from a packet data network (PDN) during data throttling, causing the UE and network to become out of sync.

Innovation Solution

The UE initiates a Tracking Area Update (TAU) procedure to synchronize its bearer status with the network either immediately or upon expiration of a throttling timer if the disconnection occurred during data throttling, or checks for unexpected active radio bearers and performs a TAU to resolve synchronization issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the UE disconnects from PDN locally during data throttling without notifying the network, then the UE can quickly disconnect from the PDN, but the network and UE become out of sync leading to rejection of reconnection requests

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisconnection speedVSAvoidconnection synchronization
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The UE performs a Tracking Area Update (TAU) procedure as a preliminary action before attempting to reconnect to the PDN. This TAU procedure proactively synchronizes the UE's bearer status with the network, ensuring that when the reconnection request is subsequently made, the network and UE are in sync, thereby preventing rejection of the reconnection request.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the UE performs TAU procedure immediately upon local PDN disconnection, then synchronization between UE and network is maintained, but unnecessary TAU procedures increase signaling overhead and network load

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebearer synchronizationVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The UE changes its behavior based on the state of the throttling timer. When the throttling timer is active, the UE delays the TAU procedure until the timer expires. When the throttling timer is not active, the UE can perform TAU immediately or based on other conditions. This parameter-based decision-making optimizes the balance between maintaining synchronization and reducing unnecessary signaling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the UE checks for unexpected active radio bearers before reconnection, then synchronization issues can be detected and resolved, but the reconnection process becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization accuracyVSAvoidreconnection procedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The UE implements a feedback mechanism by checking for unexpected active radio bearers before attempting reconnection to the PDN. This check provides feedback about the synchronization state between the UE and network. Based on this feedback, the UE decides whether to perform a TAU procedure before reconnection, thereby resolving synchronization issues while avoiding unnecessary complexity when no synchronization problem exists.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2835028B1Performing EPS bearer synchronisation before reconnecting to PDN after local disconnect
Publication Date: 2019.12.25 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP2835028B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2835028B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2835028B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods and apparatus for improving data service availability. Certain aspects provide methods and apparatus for wireless communications by a UE including determining, while the UE is in a coverage area of a first network, that a connection to a second network, comprising a packet data network (PDN), is disconnected locally, and taking at least one action to avoid a rejection of a request to connect to the second network.