Method and apparatus for performing RRC state transition in wireless communication network

1. A method for a user equipment (UE) performing communication in a wireless communication network, the method comprising:

entering a radio resource control (RRC) connected state;

receiving an RRC reconfiguration message including configuration information regarding UE assistance information from a base station; and

based on the configuration information regarding the UE assistance information, transmitting a UE assistance information message for one of a plurality of UE preference indications including:

a first UE preference indication indicating that the UE prefers to transit to an RRC idle state,

a second UE preference indication indicating that the UE prefers to transit to an RRC inactive state, and

a third UE preference indication indicating that the UE prefers to transit out of the RRC connected state without a preferred RRC state.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising activating a condition to trigger of transmitting the UE assistance information based on the configuration information, wherein the condition is one of: a timer based threshold and a counter based threshold.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising transmitting UE capability information indicating that the UE supports providing the UE assistance information to transit out of the RRC connected state.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising identifying a timer for the UE assistance information from the configuration information, and

the UE assistance information is transmitted to the base station based on an expiry of the timer.

5. A method for a base station performing communication in a wireless communication network, the method comprising:

transmitting, to a user equipment (UE), a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message including configuration information regarding UE assistance information; and

receiving a UE assistance information message for one of a plurality of UE preference indications including first UE preference indication indicating that transition to an RRC idle state is preferred at the UE, a second UE preference indication indicating that transition to an RRC inactive state is preferred at the UE and a third UE preference indication indicating that transition out of an RRC connected state is preferred at the UE without a preferred RRC state,

wherein the UE assistance information message is transmitted from the UE, based on the configuration information regarding the UE assistance information.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein a condition to trigger of transmitting the UE assistance information is activated based on the configuration information at the UE, and

the condition is one of: a timer based threshold and a counter based threshold.

7. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:

receiving UE capability information indicating that the UE supports providing the UE assistance information to transit out of the RRC connected state.

8. The method of claim 5 , wherein a timer for the UE assistance information is identified based on the configuration information, and

the UE assistance information is transmitted at the UE, based on an expiry of the timer.

9. A user equipment (UE) for performing communication in a wireless communication network, the UE comprising:

a transceiver; and

a processor coupled with the transceiver and configured to:

enter a radio resource control (RRC) connected state,

receive an RRC reconfiguration message including configuration information regarding UE assistance information, from a base station, and

based on the configuration information regarding the UE assistance information, transmit a UE assistance information message for one of a plurality of UE preference indications including:

a first UE preference indication indicating that the UE prefers to transit to an RRC idle state,

a second UE preference indication indicating that the UE prefers to transit to a RRC inactive state, and

a third UE preference indication indicating that the UE prefers to transit out of the RRC connected state without a preferred RRC state.

10. The UE of claim 9 , wherein the processor is further configured to:

activate a condition to trigger of transmitting the UE assistance information based on the configuration information, wherein the condition is one of: a timer based threshold and a counter based threshold.

11. The UE of claim 10 , wherein the processor is further configured to:

transmit UE capability information indicating that the UE supports providing the UE assistance information to transit out of the RRC connected state.

12. The UE of claim 10 , wherein the processor is further configured to identify a timer for the UE assistance information from the configuration information, and the UE assistance information is transmitted to the base station based on an expiry of the timer.

13. A base station for performing communication in a wireless communication network, the base station comprising:

a transceiver; and

a processor coupled with the transceiver and configured to:

transmit, to a user equipment (UE), a radio resource control (RRC) reconfiguration message including configuration information regarding UE assistance information, and

receive a UE assistance information message for one of a plurality of UE preference indications including:

a first UE preference indication indicating that that transition to an RRC idle state is preferred at the UE,

a second UE preference indication indicating that transition to an RRC inactive state is preferred at the UE, and

a third UE preference indication indicating that transition out of an RRC connected state is preferred at the UE without a preferred RRC state,

wherein the UE assistance information message is transmitted from the UE, based on the configuration information regarding the UE assistance information.

14. The base station of claim 13 , wherein a condition to trigger of transmitting the UE assistance information is activated based on the configuration information at the UE, and

the condition is one of: a timer based threshold and a counter based threshold.

15. The base station of claim 13 , wherein the processor is further configured to:

receive UE capability information indicating that the UE supports providing the UE assistance information to transit out of the RRC connected state.

16. The base station of claim 13 , wherein a timer for the UE assistance information is identified based on the configuration information, and

the UE assistance information is transmitted at the UE, based on an expiry of the timer.