Network-Controlled RRC Resume via Paging or RAR

A radio network node operative in a wireless communication network, characterized by:

• one or more antennas;
• a transceiver operatively connected to the antennas;
• and
• processing circuitry operatively connected to the transceiver, and operative to:
• generate an RRC Resume directive comprising at least an indication whether or not the radio network device should perform an RRC Resume procedure;
• include the RRC Resume directive in one of a paging message and a Random Access Response message;
• and
• transmit the paging message or Random Access Response message containing the RRC Resume directive to the radio network device.

A method, performed by a radio network device operative in a wireless communication network and that was previously connected to the network and was issued a Resume ID associated with that connection, of handling the re-connection of the device to a radio network node, characterized by:

• receiving from the radio network node one of a paging message and a Random Access Response, RAR, message, the paging or RAR message including an RRC Resume directive comprising at least an indication whether or not the radio network device should perform an RRC Resume procedure;
• if the RRC Resume directive indicates the radio network device should perform an RRC Resume procedure, sending an RRC Resume Connection Request message, including the Resume ID, to the radio network node to resume a prior RRC connection;
• and
• if the RRC Resume directive indicates the radio network device should not perform an RRC Resume procedure, sending an RRC Connection Request message to the radio network node to establish a new RRC connection.

A radio network device operative in a wireless communication network, characterized by:

• an antenna;
• a transceiver operatively connected to the antenna;
• and
• processing circuitry operatively connected to the transceiver, and operative to:
• receive from the radio network node one of a paging message and a Random Access Response, RAR, message, the paging or RAR message including an RRC Resume directive comprising at least an indication whether or not the radio network device should perform an RRC Resume procedure;
• if the RRC Resume directive indicates the radio network device should perform an RRC Resume procedure, send an RRC Resume Connection Request message, including the Resume ID, to the radio network node to resume a prior RRC connection;
• and
• if the RRC Resume directive indicates the radio network device should not perform an RRC Resume procedure, send an RRC Connection Request message to the radio network node to establish a new RRC connection.