IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,726,813
Granted Patent B2
US 12,726,813 · App. 18/503,755 · Granted Sep 1, 2026

Method and apparatus for controlling UE context in wireless communication system

Inventors: Jeongyeob Oak (Suwon-si, KR); Jisoo Song (Suwon-si, KR)
Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
H04W8/24H04W24/02H04W36/00698
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,726,813
App. No.
18/503,755
Granted
Sep 1, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method and an apparatus for controlling user equipment (UE) context between a plurality of nodes are provided. The method includes transmitting, to a second node, a first message to request a user equipment (UE) context update, receiving, from the second node, a second message indicative of a completion of the UE context update or a third message indicative of a failure of the UE context update in response to the transmission of the first message, and determining whether to retransmit the first message to the second node based on the reception of the second message or the third message. The procedure of the UE context update may be initiated by the transmission of a message to request an operation of the UE context update to be performed between a UE and a third node from the second node to the third node.

Claims (74)

1 . A method performed by a distributed unit (DU) of a next generation node B (gNB) in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:

transmitting, to a central unit (CU) of the gNB, a user equipment (UE) context modification required message to request a UE context modification; and

receiving, from the CU, a UE context modification refuse message indicating that the UE context modification is unsuccessful based on an evolved node B (eNB),

wherein the eNB and the gNB are configured in a dual connectivity,

wherein the UE context modification required message includes a gNB-CU UE identifier (ID) for identifying a UE within the CU, a gNB-DU UE ID for identifying a UE within the DU, and a resource coordination transfer container,

wherein the resource coordination transfer container includes a secondary gNB (SgNB) resource coordination information element (IE) for the eNB,

wherein the SgNB resource coordination IE includes information on a new radio (NR) cell global identity (CGI) and coordination information, and

wherein the UE context modification refuse message includes the gNB-CU UE ID, the gNB-DU UE ID, and information on a cause of the unsuccessful UE context modification.

2 . The method of claim 1 ,

wherein the CU is associated with a radio resource control (RRC) layer and a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, and

wherein the DU is associated with a radio link control (RLC) layer, a medium access control (MAC) layer, and a physical (PHY) layer.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the UE context modification refuse message is based on a modification refuse message transmitted from the eNB to the CU of the gNB.

4 . The method of claim 1 ,

wherein the DU of the gNB and the CU of the gNB are connected through a F1 interface, and

wherein the CU of the gNB and the eNB are connected through an X2 interface.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the UE context modification required message includes identification information on one or more data radio bearers (DRBs) to be modified and downlink (DL) user plane (UP) tunnel (TNL) information.

6 . A method performed by a central unit (CU) of a next generation node B (gNB) in a wireless communication system, the method comprising:

receiving, from a distributed unit (DU) of the gNB, a user equipment (UE) context modification required message to request a UE context modification; and

transmitting, to the DU of the gNB, a UE context modification refuse message, in case that the UE context modification is unsuccessful based on an evolved node B (eNB),

wherein the eNB and the gNB are configured in a dual connectivity,

wherein the UE context modification required message includes a gNB-CU UE identifier (ID) for identifying a UE within the CU, a gNB-DU UE ID for identifying a UE within the DU, and a resource coordination transfer container,

wherein the resource coordination transfer container includes a secondary gNB (SgNB) resource coordination information element (IE) for the eNB,

wherein the SgNB resource coordination IE includes information on a new radio (NR) cell global identity (CGI) and coordination information, and

wherein the UE context modification refuse message includes the gNB-CU UE ID, the gNB-DU UE ID, and information on a cause of the unsuccessful UE context modification.

7 . The method of claim 6 ,

wherein the CU is associated with a radio resource control (RRC) layer and a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, and

wherein the DU is associated with a radio link control (RLC) layer, a medium access control (MAC) layer, and a physical (PHY) layer.

8 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the UE context modification refuse message is based on a modification refuse message transmitted from the eNB to the CU of the gNB.

9 . The method of claim 6 ,

wherein the DU of the gNB and the CU of the gNB are connected through a F1 interface, and

wherein the CU of the gNB and the eNB are connected through an X2 interface.

10 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the UE context modification required message includes identification information on one or more data radio bearers (DRBs) to be modified and downlink (DL) user plane (UP) tunnel (TNL) information.

11 . A distributed unit (DU) of a next generation node B (gNB) in a wireless communication system, the DU of the gNB comprising:

memory configured to store instructions; and

at least one transceiver; and

at least one processor,

wherein the instructions cause, when executed by the at least one processor, the DU to:

transmit, to a central unit (CU) of the gNB via the at least one transceiver, a user equipment (UE) context modification required message to request a UE context modification, and

receive, from the CU of the gNB via the at least one transceiver, a UE context modification refuse message indicating that the UE context modification is unsuccessful based on an evolved node B (eNB),

wherein the eNB and the gNB are configured in a dual connectivity,

wherein the UE context modification required message includes a gNB-CU UE identifier (ID) for identifying a UE within the CU, a gNB-DU UE ID for identifying a UE within the DU, and a resource coordination transfer container,

wherein the resource coordination transfer container includes a secondary gNB (SgNB) resource coordination information element (IE) for the eNB,

wherein the SgNB resource coordination IE includes information on a new radio (NR) cell global identity (CGI) and coordination information, and

wherein the UE context modification refuse message includes the gNB-CU UE ID, the gNB-DU UE ID, and information on a cause of the unsuccessful UE context modification.

12 . The DU of the gNB of claim 11 ,

wherein the CU is associated with a radio resource control (RRC) layer and a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, and

wherein the DU is associated with a radio link control (RLC) layer, a medium access control (MAC) layer, and a physical (PHY) layer.

13 . The DU of the gNB of claim 11 , wherein the UE context modification refuse message is based on a modification refuse message transmitted from the eNB to the CU of the gNB.

14 . The DU of the gNB of claim 11 ,

wherein the DU of the gNB and the CU of the gNB are connected through a F1 interface, and

wherein the CU of the gNB and the eNB are connected through an X2 interface.

15 . The DU of the gNB of claim 11 , wherein the UE context modification required message includes identification information on one or more data radio bearers (DRBs) to be modified and downlink (DL) user plane (UP) tunnel (TNL) information.

16 . A central unit (CU) of a next generation node B (gNB) in a wireless communication system, the CU of the gNB comprising:

memory configured to store instructions; and

at least one transceiver; and

at least one processor,

wherein the instructions cause, when executed by the at least one processor, the CU to:

receive, from a distributed unit (DU) of the gNB via the at least one transceiver, a user equipment (UE) context modification required message to request a UE context modification, and

transmit, to the DU of the gNB via the at least one transceiver, a UE context modification refuse message in case that the UE context modification is unsuccessful based on an evolved node B (eNB),

wherein the eNB and the gNB are configured in a dual connectivity,

wherein the UE context modification required message includes a gNB-CU UE identifier (ID) for identifying a UE within the CU, a gNB-DU UE ID for identifying a UE within the DU, and a resource coordination transfer container,

wherein the resource coordination transfer container includes a secondary gNB (SgNB) resource coordination information element (IE) for the eNB,

wherein the SgNB resource coordination IE includes information on a new radio (NR) cell global identity (CGI) and coordination information, and

wherein the UE context modification refuse message includes the gNB-CU UE ID, the gNB-DU UE ID, and information on a cause of the unsuccessful UE context modification.

17 . The CU of the gNB of claim 16 ,

wherein the CU is associated with a radio resource control (RRC) layer and a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, and

wherein the DU is associated with a radio link control (RLC) layer, a medium access control (MAC) layer, and a physical (PHY) layer.

18 . The CU of the gNB of claim 16 ,

wherein the UE context modification refuse message is based on a modification refuse message transmitted from the eNB to the CU of the gNB.

19 . The CU of the gNB of claim 17 ,

wherein the DU of the gNB and the CU of the gNB are connected through a F1 interface, and

wherein the CU of the gNB and the eNB are connected through an X2 interface.

20 . The CU of the gNB of claim 16 ,

wherein the UE context modification required message includes identification information on one or more data radio bearers (DRBs) to be modified and downlink (DL) user plane (UP) tunnel (TNL) information.

Priority Claims (2)
KR 10-2019-0017344 · Feb 14, 2019 · national
KR 10-2019-0018223 · Feb 15, 2019 · national
Continuity (3)
Continuation 17503548 · Oct 18, 2021
Continuation 16791104 · Feb 14, 2020
Related Publication 20240089726A1 · Mar 14, 2024
References Cited (42)
US 10142920B2 · Kim et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10736012B2 · Kim et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10869353B2 · Byun et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 20110317545A1 · Tiwari · 2011 [cited by applicant]
US 20150143463A1 · Baghel et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20180324651A1 · Tenny et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20190037631A1 · Byun et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20190053183A1 · Park · 2019 [cited by examiner]
US 20190075023A1 · Sirotkin · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20190215756A1 · Park et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20190380128A1 · Park · 2019 [cited by examiner]
US 20200163140A1 · Mochizuki et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 20200351954A1 · Turtinen et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 20200396740A1 · Toeda et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 20210243656A1 · Paterson · 2021 [cited by applicant]
CN 107926069A · 2018 [cited by applicant]
CN 109076416A · 2018 [cited by applicant]
KR 1020190010857A · 2019 [cited by applicant]
WO 2016122388A1 · 2016 [cited by applicant]
3GPP TSG-RAN WGS3 NR AdHoc 1801 R3-180180 (Year: 2018). [cited by examiner]
Chinese Notice of Allowance dated Dec. 17, 2024, issued in Chinese Patent Application No. 202080014585.6. [cited by applicant]
Ericsson, Rapporteur updates on version 15.4.0, R3-19xxxx, 3GPP TSG-RAN WG3 Meeting #103, Feb. 12, 2019, Athens, Greece. [cited by applicant]
Korean Office Action dated May 9, 2024, issued in Korean Application No. 10-2019-0018223. [cited by applicant]
Chinese Office Action dated Mar. 12, 2024, issued in Chinese Application No. 202080014585.6. [cited by applicant]
European Oral Proceedings dated Feb. 12, 2024, issued in European Application No. 20756319.8. [cited by applicant]
3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network;NG-RAN; F1 application protocol (F1AP), ‘3GPP; TSG RAN; NG-RAN; F1AP (Release 15)’,3GPP TS 38.473 V15.4.1, sections 8.2.3.3, 8.3.5.2… [cited by applicant]
Ericsson, ‘Rapporteur updates on version 15.4.0’, R3103_023_36423-f40_Rapp_Corrections, 3GPP, Feb. 12, 2019 [retrieved on May 12, 2020]. Retrieved from the Internet: <URL: https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/email_discussions/ran3… [cited by applicant]
Ericsson et al., ‘RRC Delivery Indication’, R3-186121, 3GPP TSG-RAN WG3,NR #101bis, Oct. 15, 2018 section 8: Oct. 15, 2018. [cited by applicant]
Samsung, ‘CR on Scell release for RLC failure’, R3-187213, 3GPP TSG-RAN,WG3 #102, section 8.3.4: Nov. 20, 2018. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and written opinion dated May 20, 2020, issued in an International Application No. PCT/KR2020/002112. [cited by applicant]
3GPP TSG-RAN WG3 #103 R3-191099_UEModRefuse_CR_v3.0 (Year: 2019). [cited by applicant]
3GPP 36423-f40 V15.4.0 X2 application protocol (X2AP) Dec. 2018 (Year: 2018). [cited by applicant]
38473-f41 V15.4.1 F1 application protocol (F1AP) Jan. 2019 (Year: 2019). [cited by applicant]
Zte, Discussion on SCell management in CU-DU deployment, R3-180899, 3GPP TSG RAN WG3#99 Meeting, Feb. 14, 2018, Athens, Greece, XP051401271. [cited by applicant]
Catt, TP for TS 38.473 on UE Context Management procedure, R3-180180, 3GPP TSG-RAN WG3 NR AdHoc 1801, Jan. 12, 2018, Sophia Antipolis, France, XP051387212. [cited by applicant]
Catt, Discussion on UE Context Management procedure, R3-180179, 3GPP TSG-RAN WG3 NR AdHoc 1801, Jan. 12, 2018, Sophia Antipolis, France, XP051387211. [cited by applicant]
Samsung, UE context modification procedure, R3-172964, 3GPP TSG-RAN WG3 Meeting #97, Aug. 21, 2017, Berlin, Germany, XP051319804. [cited by applicant]
Samsung, UE context modification refuse, R3-190446, 3GPP TSG-RAN WG3 Meeting #103, Feb. 15, 2019, Athens, Greece, XP051604387. [cited by applicant]
European Search Report dated Feb. 18, 2022, issued in European Application No. 20756319.8. [cited by applicant]
Indian Examination Report dated Apr. 10, 2023, issued in Indian Application No. 202117036778. [cited by applicant]
Korean Office Action dated Jan. 13, 2025, issued in Korean Application No. 10-2019-0018223. [cited by applicant]
European Office Action dated May 8, 2026, issued in European Application No. 25 152 312.2. [cited by applicant]