Simplified ue + enb messaging

Abstract

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.