User equipment and evolved node-B supporting machine type communication and small data communication

• US 9,313,812 B2
• Filed: 06/24/2014
• Issued: 04/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel IP Corporation (Intel Corporation)
• Inventors: Bangolae, Sangeetha L., Martinez Tarradell, Marta, Jain, Puneet
• Primary Examiner(s): Alia, Curtis A
• Application Number:
  US14/313,818
• Publication Number:
  US 20150029918A1
• Time in Patent Office: 658 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/243 with built-in antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/00 Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system means for positioning H01Q1/125
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/318 Received signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0632 Channel quality parameters, e.g. channel quality indicator [CQI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0686 Hybrid systems, i.e. switching and simultaneous transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0695 using beam selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 11/0023 Interference mitigation or co-ordination direct sequence spread spectrum [DSSS] systems H04B1/7097; frequency hopping H04B1/713; allocation criteria for ingress interference avoidance H04L5/0062; frequency allocation criteria for requirements on out-of-channel emissions H04L5/0066; arrangements for removing intersymbol interference or baseband equalisers H04L25/03006; peak power aspects in multicarrier modulation H04L27/2614; power management H04W52/00; traffic scheduling H04W72/54, H04W72/541
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0007 the frequencies being orthogonal, e.g. OFDM(A), DMT
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0094 Indication of how sub-channels of the path are allocated
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/14 Two-way operation using the same type of signal, i.e. duplex
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/16 Implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/28 using beam steering
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/08 Testing, supervising or monitoring using real traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/10 Scheduling measurement reports ; Arrangements for measurement reports
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/12 using signalling between network elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0066 of control information between different types of networks in order to establish a new radio link in the target network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0083 Determination of parameters used for hand-off, e.g. generation or modification of neighbour cell lists
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/70 Services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0209 in terminal devices terminal devices per se H04W88/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0446 : Resources in time domain, e.g. slots or frames
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/21 : in the uplink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/23 : in the downlink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/541 : using the level of interference
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/0833 : Random access procedures, e.g. with 4-step access
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 : Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/11 : Allocation or use of connection identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/14 : Direct-mode setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/27 : Transitions between radio resource control [RRC] states
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/045 : using private Base Stations, e.g. femto Base Stations, home Node B
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 : WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 : Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 : adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 : Access point devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Embodiments of a User Equipment (UE) and method for selecting a Radio Resource Control (RRC) inactivity timer for a service operating in a wireless network are generally described herein. In some embodiments, the UE may be configured to operate in a 3GPP network in accordance with a Radio Resource Control (RRC) inactivity timer that controls RRC state transitions of the UE, and further in accordance with a Machine Type Communication (MTC) mode of operation. The UE may receive, from an Evolved Node-B (eNB), one or more messages that may include an RRC inactivity timer keep connected support value that indicates support of a keep connected mode. In some embodiments, when the UE operates in keep connected mode, the UE operates in an RRC connected state and is restricted from operating in other RRC states.

Claims

1. A User Equipment (UE) configured to operate in a 3^rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) network in accordance with a communication protocol, the UE comprising hardware processing circuitry, the hardware circuitry comprising:

a memory device; and

a processor coupled to the memory device, the processor configured to;

receive from an Evolved Node-B (eNB) a message comprising a Boolean Radio Resource Control (RRC) inactivity timer keep connected support value;

transmit a UE radio capability message that is receivable by the eNB and that enables the exchanging of data between the UE and the eNB according to the communication protocol;

wherein the UE radio capability message includes;

a small data access parameter that specifies a capability of the UE to exchange small blocks of data with the eNB as part of the communication protocol; and

a mobile originating data parameter that specifies a capability of the UE to support a mode in which data to be exchanged as part of the communication protocol originates at the UE;

determine whether to operate the UE in a keep connected mode in which the UE operates in an RRC connected state and is restricted from operating in other RRC states;

determine whether to adjust a current RRC inactivity timer based on the Boolean RRC inactivity timer keep connected support value and, if so, adjust the current RRC inactivity timer to produce an updated RRC inactivity timer; and

transmit the updated RRC inactivity timer to the eNB.

2. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the UE radio capability message further includes a power saving support parameter that specifies a capability of the UE to operate in a power saving mode during a time period defined by a power saving mode duration parameter as part of the communication protocol,

wherein the UE is further configured to refrain from exchanging of data during the time period, and

wherein the UE is further configured to delay exchanging of data requested to occur during the time period at least until the UE is no longer operating in the power saving mode.

3. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the UE radio capability message further includes:

a delay tolerance parameter that specifies a capability of the UE to operate in a delay tolerant mode as part of the communication protocol.

4. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the UE radio capability message further includes:

an infrequent data transfer parameter that specifies a capability of the UE to exchange data with the eNB at an infrequent rate as part of the communication protocol.

5. The UE according to claim 4, wherein the infrequent rate is less than once per hour and a small block of data includes 400 bytes or less.

6. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the UE radio capability message further includes:

a traffic behavior analysis capability parameter that specifies a capability of the UE to analyze, according to at least one algorithm internal to the UE, exchanges of data that occur while the UE operates according to the communication protocol.

7. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the UE is a Machine Type Communication (MTC) device and wherein the communication protocol is an MTC protocol.

8. The UE according to claim 1, wherein:

the message from the eNB further comprises a set of candidate RRC inactivity timer values and a Boolean RRC inactivity timer adjustment support value, and

the determination of whether to adjust the current RRC inactivity timer is further based on the Boolean RRC inactivity timer adjustment support value and the updated RRC inactivity timer is based on the set of candidate RRC inactivity timer values.

9. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the UE radio capability message further includes:

a mobility status parameter that specifies a mobility status of the UE while the UE operates according to the communication protocol.

10. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the UE radio capability message further includes:

a periodic data transfer parameter that specifies a capability of the UE to exchange data with the eNB in a periodic manner as part of the communication protocol.

11. The UE according to claim 1, wherein the UE radio capability message further includes:

an RRC state transition support parameter that specifies a capability of the UE to determine RRC state transition information related to the transitions of the UE between an RRC idle state and another RRC state while the UE operates according to the communication protocol.

12. The UE according to claim 1, wherein:

the message from the eNB is one of a MAC-MainConfig message and a System Information Block (SIB) message, each of which comprises the Boolean RRC inactivity timer keep connected support value, and

the hardware processing circuitry is further configured to receive the other of the MAC-MainConfig message and the SIB message prior to transmitting the updated RRC inactivity timer to the eNB.

13. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions for execution by one or more processors to perform operations to configure a User Equipment (UE) to:

receive from an Evolved Node-B (eNB) a message comprising a Boolean Radio Resource Control (RRC) inactivity timer keep connected support value;

transmit a UE radio capability message that is receivable by the eNB and that enables the exchanging of data between a UE and the eNB according to a communication protocol;

wherein the UE radio capability message includes;

a small data access parameter that specifies a capability of the UE to exchange small blocks of data with the eNB as part of the communication protocol; and

a mobile originating data parameter that specifies a capability of the UE to support a mode in which data to be exchanged as part of the communication protocol originates at the UE;

determine whether to operate the UE in a keep connected mode in which the UE operates in an RRC connected state and is restricted from operating in other RRC states;

determine whether to adjust a current RRC inactivity timer based on the Boolean RRC inactivity timer keep connected support value and, if so, adjust the current RRC inactivity timer to produce an updated RRC inactivity timer; and

transmit the updated RRC inactivity timer to the eNB.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 13, wherein the UE radio capability message further includes a power saving support parameter that specifies a capability of the UE to operate in a power saving mode during a time period defined by a power saving mode duration parameter as part of the communication protocol, wherein exchanging of data does not occur during the time period, and any exchanging of data requested to occur during the time period is delayed at least until the UE is no longer operating in the power saving mode.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 13, wherein the UE radio capability message further includes:

a delay tolerance parameter that specifies a capability of the UE to operate in a delay tolerant mode as part of the communication protocol.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 13, wherein the UE radio capability message further includes:

an infrequent data transfer parameter that specifies a capability of the UE to exchange data with the eNB at an infrequent rate as part of the communication protocol.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 16, wherein the infrequent rate is less than once per hour and a small block of data includes 400 bytes or less.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 13, wherein the UE radio capability message further includes:

a traffic behavior analysis capability parameter that specifies a capability of the UE to analyze, according to at least one algorithm internal to the UE, exchanges of data that occur while the UE operates according to the communication protocol.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 13, wherein the communication protocol is a Machine Type Communication (MTC) protocol and the UE is an MTC device.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 13, wherein:

the message from the eNB further comprises a set of candidate RRC inactivity timer values and a Boolean RRC inactivity timer adjustment support value, and

the determination of whether to adjust the current RRC inactivity timer is further based on the Boolean RRC inactivity timer adjustment support value and the updated RRC inactivity timer is based on the set of candidate RRC inactivity timer values.

21. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 13, wherein the UE radio capability message further includes:

a mobility status parameter that specifies a mobility status of the UE while the UE operates according to the communication protocol.

22. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 13, wherein the UE radio capability message further includes:

a periodic data transfer parameter that specifies a capability of the UE to exchange data with the eNB in a periodic manner as part of the communication protocol.

23. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 13, wherein the UE radio capability message further includes:

an RRC state transition support parameter that specifies a capability of the UE to determine RRC state transition information related to the transitions of the UE between an RRC idle state and another RRC state while the UE operates according to the communication protocol.

24. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium according to claim 13, wherein:

the message from the eNB is one of a MAC-MainConfig message and a System Information Block (SIB) message, each of which comprises the Boolean RRC inactivity timer keep connected support value, and

the hardware processing circuitry is further configured to receive the other of the MAC-MainConfig message and the SIB message prior to transmitting the updated RRC inactivity timer to the eNB.