SIMPLIFIED UE + ENB MESSAGING
A method, mobile device ( 101 ) and radio access network RAN ( 102 ) are disclosed for suspending and re-establishing a radio resource control (RRC) connection. In some examples, the mobile device ( 101 ) indicates a preference to have the RRC connection either suspended or released. In other examples, RAN ( 102 ) sends to the mobile device ( 101 ) a connection suspend command message instructing the mobile device to suspend a RRC connection with the RAN ( 102 ). The mobile device ( 101 ), in response to the connection suspend command message, suspends the RRC connection. When the RRC connection is suspended the mobile device ( 101 ) cannot transmit or receive user plane data to the RAN ( 102 ) and performs functions the same as or similar to idle mode functions. On suspension, RRC connection information is stored and can be used to re-establish the suspended RRC connection.
1 . A method, implemented in a node of a Radio Access Network (RAN) for use with a mobile device, the method comprising:
sending, by the RAN node, a connection suspend command message to a mobile device to suspend a RRC connection with the mobile device.
2 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the connection suspend command message is sent in response to a suspension criterion being met at the RAN node.
3 . A method according to claim 2 , wherein the suspension criterion is at least one of an expiry of a timer at the RAN Node, receiving at the RAN node a suspension request message from the mobile device, no user plane data having been received from or sent to the mobile device for a time period, no user plane data being expected to be received from or sent to the mobile device for a period of time, or a higher layer indication to a RRC layer.
4 . A method according to claim 3 , wherein the higher layer is an application layer or non-access stratum (NAS) layer.
5 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the RAN node receives from the mobile device, in response to the connection suspend command message, an acknowledgement message.
6 . A method according to claim 5 , wherein the acknowledgement message comprises an acknowledgement from at least one of a RRC layer or a medium access control (MAC) layer of the mobile device.
7 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the RAN node releases mobility control of the mobile device to the mobile device, while the RRC connection is suspended.
8 . A method according to claim 1 , further comprising storing RRC connection data for the RRC connection.
9 . A Radio Access Network (RAN) node for use with a mobile device, the RAN node being configured to:
send a connection suspend command message to a UE to suspend a RRC connection with the UE.
10 . A RAN node according to claim 9 , wherein the connection suspend command message is sent in response to a suspension criterion being met at the RAN node.
11 . A RAN node according to claim 10 , wherein the suspension criterion is at least one of an expiry of a timer at the RAN Node, receiving at the RAN node a suspension request message from the mobile device, no user plane data having been received from or sent to the mobile device for a time period, no user plane data being expected to be received from or sent to the mobile device for a period of time, or a higher layer indication to a RRC layer.
12 . A RAN node according to claim 11 , wherein the higher layer is an application layer or non-access stratum (NAS) layer.
13 . A RAN node according to claim 9 , being further configured to receive from the mobile device, in response to the connection suspend command message, an acknowledgement message.
14 . A RAN node according to claim 13 , wherein the acknowledgement message comprises an acknowledgement from at least one of a RRC layer or a medium access (MAC) layer of the mobile device.
15 . A RAN node according to claim 9 , being further configured to release mobility control of the mobile device to the mobile device while the RRC connection is suspended.
16 . A RAN node according to claim 9 , wherein the RAN node is an eNodeB.
17 . A RAN node according to claim 9 , being further configured to store RRC connection data for the RRC connection.
18 . A method, implemented in a mobile device for use with a Radio Access Network (RAN), the method comprising:
the mobile device receiving a connection suspend command message from the RAN instructing the mobile device to suspend a RRC connection with the RAN;
the mobile device, in response to the connection suspend command message, suspending the RRC connection.
19 . A method according to claim 18 , further comprising the mobile device sending a connection suspend request message to the RAN requesting suspension of the RRC connection; and receiving the connection suspend command message from the RAN in response to the connection suspend request message.
20 . A method according to claim 19 , wherein the connection suspend request message is sent in response to a suspension criterion being met at the mobile device.
21 . A method according to claim 20 , wherein the suspension criterion is at least one of an expiry of a timer at the mobile device, no user plane data having been received from or sent to the RAN for a time period, no user plane data being expected to be received from or sent to the RAN for a period of time, a status of an input function of the mobile device, a status of an output function of the mobile device, a status of one or more applications of the mobile device, or a higher layer indication to an RRC layer at the mobile device.
22 . A method according to claim 21 , wherein the higher layer is an application layer or non-access stratum (NAS) layer of the mobile device.
23 . A method according to claim 18 , wherein the mobile device, in response to the connection suspend command message, sends to the RAN node an acknowledgement message.
24 . A method according to claim 23 , wherein the acknowledgement message comprises an acknowledgement from at least one of a RRC layer or a medium access control (MAC) layer of the mobile device.
25 . A method according to claim 18 , wherein the mobile device controls mobility while the RRC connection is suspended.
26 . A mobile device for use with a Radio Access Network (RAN), the mobile device being configured to:
receive a connection suspend command message from the RAN instructing the mobile device to suspend a RRC connection with the RAN; and
suspend the RRC connection in response to the connection suspend command message.
27 . A mobile device according to claim 26 , being further configured to send a connection suspend request message to the RAN requesting suspension of the RRC connection; and to receive the connection suspend command message from the RAN in response to the connection suspend request message.
28 . A mobile device according to claim 27 , wherein the connection suspend request message is sent in response to a suspension criterion being met at the mobile device.
29 . A mobile device according to claim 28 , wherein the suspension criterion is at least one of an expiry of a timer at the mobile device, no user plane data having been received from or sent to the RAN for a time period, no user plane data being expected to be received from or sent to the RAN for a period of time, a status of an input function of the mobile device, a status of an output function of the mobile device, a status of one or more applications of the mobile device, and a higher layer indication to an RRC layer at the mobile device.
30 . A mobile device according to claim 29 , wherein the higher layer is an application layer or non-access stratum (NAS) layer of the mobile device.
31 . A mobile device according to claim 26 , being further configured to send to the RAN an acknowledgement message.
32 . A mobile device according to claim 31 , wherein the acknowledgement message comprises an acknowledgement from at least one of a RRC layer or a medium access (MAC) layer of the mobile device.
33 . A mobile device according to claim 26 , being further configured to control mobility while the RRC connection is suspended.
34 . A mobile device according to claim 26 , being further configured to communicate with the RAN in accordance with the LTE or LTE Advanced protocol.