Wireless Device Tracking Area Update Delay Timer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tracking area update procedures in wireless networks fail to consider poor signal quality issues, leading to connection interruptions when devices move to new tracking areas, as they abort the update process upon losing coverage without completing the 'TAU complete' message.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a delay timer on wireless devices that activates upon receiving a Tracking Area Update Accept message and detecting a triggering event, such as signal loss, allowing the device to resend the 'TAU Complete' message before the timer expires, ensuring the update process is completed even if coverage is regained during this time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the wireless device follows the standard TAU procedure and sends TAU complete message immediately after receiving TAU accept, then the procedure completes quickly, but the connection is lost and TAU cannot be completed when poor RF conditions occur just after receiving TAU accept
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless device performs preliminary action by setting a delay timer before actually sending the TAU complete message. This timer is configured to expire after a predetermined time period, allowing the device to wait and see if the connection is restored before finalizing the TAU procedure. This preliminary timing action prevents premature completion of TAU when connection quality is poor.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces dynamic behavior to the TAU procedure by making the completion timing flexible rather than immediate. The device dynamically adjusts when to send TAU complete based on whether the connection is still active at the time the delay timer expires. If connection is lost, TAU complete is delayed; if connection persists, TAU complete is sent promptly. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between speed and reliability.
2Productivity
If the wireless device sends TAU complete message immediately upon receiving TAU accept, then the procedure is efficient, but service interruptions occur when coverage is lost between TAU accept and TAU complete
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs a preliminary check by setting a delay timer before committing to the TAU complete message transmission. This preliminary timing mechanism allows the device to assess connection stability before finalizing the procedure, preventing premature completion that would lead to service interruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements feedback by continuously monitoring whether the connection is still active at the time the delay timer expires. This feedback mechanism determines whether to send the TAU complete message or delay it, ensuring that TAU completion only occurs when the connection is stable, thus maintaining both efficiency and reliability.
3Reliability
If the wireless device waits for connection stability before sending TAU complete, then connection reliability improves, but the TAU procedure takes longer to complete
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the timing parameter of TAU complete transmission from immediate to delayed by a predetermined period. This parameter change allows the device to wait for connection stability assessment while maintaining a bounded maximum duration. The delay is not indefinite but limited to the predetermined timer expiration, thus improving reliability without causing excessive delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The actual duration of the TAU procedure becomes dynamic rather than fixed. It adapts based on connection conditions: if connection remains stable, the procedure completes quickly (close to original timing); if connection is lost, the procedure is automatically extended to allow for recovery. This dynamic duration resolves the contradiction between reliability improvement and duration increase.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for an improved tracking area update(TAU) procedure for minimizing service interruptions for wireless devices. In embodiments herein, wireless devices set a delay timer upon experiencing a triggering event. Upon termination of the triggering event, the wireless devices are able to complete the TAU procedure if the delay timer has not yet expired.