Intelligent cellular channel management

Abstract

Various configurations for implementing intelligent cellular channel management are presented herein. A physical cellular communication channel may be established between a user equipment (UE) and a cellular network for transmitting a short message service (SMS) message in response to a cellular service request from the UE. One or more characteristics of the UE, the SMS message, or both may be analyzed. A duration for which the physical cellular communication channel is kept active may be based on the analyzed one or more characteristics. A channel maintenance command may be transmitted to keep the physical cellular communication channel active based on the cellular network messaging controller determining to adjust the duration for which the physical cellular communication channel is kept active.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] [Cross - Reference to Related Applications] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 181,815, entitled "INTELLIGENT CELLULAR CHANNEL MANAGEMENT", filed on February 22, 2021, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Background Art

[0002] In order to exchange data between a user equipment (UE) and a cellular network, it is necessary to establish a communication channel between the UE and the cellular core network. Establishing this communication channel involves processing and signaling overhead. Once the channel is established, the channel can be maintained for a certain period based on a timer. If additional data needs to be exchanged between the UE and the cellular network before the timer expires, the channel can be reused. However, if additional data needs to be exchanged between the UE and the cellular network after the timer expires, the previous channel is "discarded", set to idle, or closed due to the expiration of the timer, so it may be necessary to create a new channel, which involves the necessary overhead.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] Various embodiments of a cellular network system that implements intelligent cellular channel management are described. In some embodiments, a cellular network system that implements intelligent cellular channel management is described. The system may include a cellular core network. The system may include a Short Message Service Center (SMSC) that functions as part of the cellular core network. The system may include a cellular base station that communicates with the cellular core network. The cellular base station (BS) may wirelessly communicate with user equipment (UE) using cellular radio access technology (RAT). The cellular BS may be configured to establish a physical cellular communication channel between the UE and an aggregation unit (CU) of the cellular network system in order to send Short Message Service (SMS) messages via the SMSC in response to cellular service requests from the UE. The system may include a cellular network messaging controller that communicates with the CU. The cellular network messaging controller may be configured to analyze one or more characteristics of UE usage. Based on the analyzed one or more characteristics of UE usage, the cellular network messaging controller may be configured to determine the duration for which the physical cellular communication channel can remain active. The cellular network messaging controller may be configured to send a channel maintain command to the CU to keep the physical cellular communication channel active, based on the cellular network messaging controller's determination that it will adjust the duration for which the physical cellular communication channel can remain active. In response to the channel maintain command, the physical cellular communication channel may remain active.

[0004] Embodiments of such systems may include one or more of the following features, and the UE may be configured to send SMS messages over a physical cellular communication channel. The UE may be configured to send one or more characteristics of its usage to the cellular BS. The UE may be configured to send a first characteristic indicating that an SMS messaging application may be open on the UE. The UE may be configured to send a second characteristic indicating that a user is typing on the UE. The SMSC may be configured to receive SMS messages sent by the UE over the physical cellular communication channel and to send SMS messages to their destinations. The physical cellular communication channel may include radio resources reserved for use between the cellular BS and the UE while active. A channel maintain command may cause the cellular core network to increase the duration of the channel timer. If the channel timer expires, the physical cellular communication channel may be set to idle. The cellular core network may set the physical cellular communication channel to idle after receiving a channel maintain command. The cellular network messaging controller may perform a machine learning process to analyze one or more characteristics of the UE's usage. One or more characteristics of UE usage may be characteristics of the SMS message sent by the UE. A machine learning process may include analyzing at least one characteristic selected from the group consisting of the length of the SMS message, the time the SMS message was sent, the location of the UE from which the SMS message was sent, and the SMS code. The cellular core network may be native 5G nu-radio (NR), and the cellular base station may be gNodeB.

[0005] In several embodiments, methods for implementing intelligent cellular channel management are described. The method may include establishing a physical cellular communication channel between a user device (UE) and a cellular network aggregation unit (CU) to send Short Message Service (SMS) messages in response to cellular service requests from a UE. The method may include analyzing one or more characteristics of the UE, the SMS message, or both. Based on the analyzed characteristics, the method may include determining the duration for which the physical cellular communication channel can remain active. The method may include sending a channel maintain command to the CU to keep the physical cellular communication channel active, based on the cellular network messaging controller's determination to adjust the duration for which the physical cellular communication channel can remain active. In response to the channel maintain command, the CU may keep the physical cellular communication channel active. The method may further include the UE sending SMS messages over the physical cellular communication channel. The method may further include the UE sending characteristics of the UE's use to the cellular BS. These characteristics may indicate that an SMS messaging application may be open on the UE. The method may further include the UE transmitting a second characteristic indicating that a user is typing text into the UE. The method may further include the SMSC of the cellular network receiving an SMS message transmitted by the UE over a physical cellular communication channel. The method may further include routing the SMS message to its destination. The physical cellular communication channel may include radio resources reserved for use between the cellular BS and the UE while active. The method may further include the CU incrementing the duration of a channel timer in response to a channel maintain command. If the channel timer expires, the physical cellular communication channel may be set to idle. The method may further include the CU setting the physical cellular communication channel to idle based on a channel maintain command. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] Further understanding of the properties and advantages of various embodiments can be achieved by referring to the following figures. In the accompanying figures, similar components or mechanisms may have the same reference numerals. Furthermore, various components of the same kind may be distinguished by following the reference numeral with a dash and a second reference numeral to distinguish them from similar components. Where only the first reference numeral is used herein, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference numeral, regardless of the second reference numeral.

[0007] [Figure 1] This document describes one embodiment of a cellular network system that implements intelligent cellular channel management. [Figure 2] This document describes one embodiment of a user device that functions as part of a cellular network system that performs intelligent cellular channel management. [Figure 3] This describes a swim diagram of communication between the UE and the cellular core network of a cellular network system, implementing intelligent cellular channel management. [Figure 4] This document describes one embodiment of a method for implementing intelligent cellular channel management. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Embodiments detailed herein intelligently modify the duration of a channel established for communication between a UE and a base station (BS) based on the characteristics of the message being transmitted, the characteristics of the monitored UE, or both. Rather than using a timer with a fixed duration (for example, for all users of a cellular network) to determine when the channel should be set to idle due to inactivity, the channel duration is modified by the Network Messaging Controller System (NMCS), or the channel remains open until the NMCS determines that the channel should be idle.

[0009] The NMCS may monitor the characteristics of the UE, network characteristics, RF characteristics, and / or messages transmitted by (or to) the UE. Based on rules, the NMCS may apply various rules to determine how long a timer may be set to keep the channel open. After the timer has started to elapse, the duration of the timer may be adjusted based on the characteristics of the UE. In other embodiments, there may be no timer. Rather, the NMCS may analyze characteristics, apply rules (or machine learning models), and set / adjust timers that control the state of the channel, or send commands that control the state of the communication channel (e.g., whether it is set to idle or not).

[0010] In some embodiments, rather than applying a set of rules, an artificial intelligence (AI) configuration is incorporated as part of the NMCS. For example, the NMCS may use machine learning to determine how long a channel should be kept open for messages that may be sent in the future using the same channel. The machine learning model may be trained on the characteristics of the initially sent message, the characteristics of the UE, or both.

[0011] Whether rule-based, machine learning-based, or hybrid configurations, such implementations can reduce communication latency between the UE and the cellular network because fewer messages need to be queued and paging or communication channel setup is pending. These implementations can enable more efficient radio optimization because scheduling and radio channel resources are managed using high-level data such as user behavior and application state data. Furthermore, UE battery life may improve due to reduced signaling because communication channel state is managed more efficiently.

[0012] Further details regarding these embodiments and additional embodiments are presented in conjunction with the figures. Figure 1 illustrates one embodiment of a cellular network system 100 that implements intelligent cellular channel management. The cellular network system 100 may include a cellular network 125 that may include UEs 110 (UE110-1, UE110-2, UE110-3), a base station 115, a radio unit (RU) 120, a distributed unit (DU) 127, an aggregation unit (CU) 129, and a national data center (NDC) 130, an NMCS 140, a data application 145, and an over-the-top (OTT) messaging application 150.

[0013] UE110 can represent various forms of devices that communicate over a cellular network. UE110 may include smartphones, mobile phones, cellular modems, cellular access points (APs), Internet of Things (IoT) devices, fixed wireless devices, etc. As explained, three UE110s are described. This number of UEs is merely an example. UEs and cellular networks can function according to one or more radio access technologies (RATs). For example, UEs and base stations 115 can communicate according to the 5G New Radio (NR) cellular communication protocol. Other RATs such as 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE), GSM, and 3G are possible, as are RATs that have not yet been developed or deployed, such as 6G.

[0014] UE110 communicates with base station 115. In the case of a 5G NR cellular network, the terms base station and gNodeB may be used interchangeably. Base station 115 may include one or more antennas and RU120. RU120 acts as an interface between the wireless communication and the cellular network 125. The cellular network 125 may be native 5G NR. In other embodiments, the cellular network 125 may function according to some other standard. The cellular network 125 may be implemented according to an Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) standard such that the functionality of the components within the cellular network 125 is implemented entirely or largely using a general-purpose computer server running dedicated firmware or software.

[0015] The cellular network 125 may include a DU 127, a CU 129, one or more regional data centers (not shown), and an NDC 130. For simplicity, only single instances of the RU 120, DU 127, and CU 129 are described, but actual implementations of cellular networks may include many similar components implemented across geographically wide areas. In a 5G NR-based network, a gNodeB (gNB) includes one or more RUs, one or more DUs, and a CU. In different system architectures, specific functions may be assigned to either the DU or the CU. The NDC 130 may perform messaging-specific functions, such as Short Message Service (SMS) messaging. While the embodiments detailed in this document focus on SMS messaging, the principles applied to determine whether a communication channel should be kept open for SMS messaging may also be applied to determining whether a communication channel should be kept open for other forms of communication between the UE and the RU 120.

[0016] NDC130 may perform the functions of Short Message Service Function (SMSF) 132, Short Message Service Center (SMSC) 134, Internet Protocol-Short Message-Gateway (IP-SM-GW) / Short Message Service Gateway (SMS-GW) 136 (hereinafter “GW136”), IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) 138, and 5G C. SMSF132 may perform functions including analyzing subscriptions or permissions associated with the source and / or destination of an SMS text. SMSF132 may permit the completion of an SMS only if it complies with the subscriptions or permissions assigned to the sending and / or receiving UE. SMSF132 may play a role in forwarding permitted SMS messages to SMSC134. GW136 may facilitate SMS transmission between cellular network providers and other forms of networks (e.g., sending SMS messages from computer systems that use the Internet to communicate with GW136). SMSC134 may be responsible for storing, forwarding, translating, and delivering SMS messages to a cellular network. IMS138 enables the delivery of SMS messages over IP. IMS138 routes SMS messages through the user plane and uses IMS to send SMS to SMSC134. The embodiments presented in this document are applicable regardless of whether SMS is routed through IMS138 or through the control plane and SMSF132.

[0017] The 5G core 139 can perform a variety of functions. These may include authentication server functions (AUSF), core access and mobility management functions (AMF), data networks (DN) that can provide access to various other networks, structured data storage network functions (SDSF), and unstructured data storage network functions (UDSF).

[0018] When an SMS message is sent from a UE such as UE110-1 to SMSC134 or IMS138, or from SMSC134 or IMS138 to UE110-1, a communication channel is created between UE110-1 and CU129 on the control plane or user plane, respectively. The communication channel may include radio resources, such as a specific frequency and / or time, reserved for communication between UE110-1 and CU129. In a cellular communication protocol stack, the communication channel may represent the physical layer of the stack and include the reservation of time and / or frequency resources for radio communication between the UE and RU. The establishment of the communication channel involves a certain amount of signaling occurring between UE110-1, RU120, DU127, and / or CU129. More specifically, this communication channel may be in the form of a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection established between UE110-1 and the gNB (DU and CU) of the cellular network. An RRC connection can exist in several modes, including idle mode (no connection), dedicated channel, forward access channel (from UE to gNB), cell paging channel, and URA paging channel. Each of these states involves a different amount of signaling between the UE and gNB, a certain amount of communication / processing resources used by the gNB, RU, and UE, and a different amount of power consumption by the UE. Information about the establishment, state, and closing of communication channels can occur on the Non-Access Stratum (NAS), which is the functional layer of the cellular radio protocol stack present between the UE and gNB.

[0019] When a communication channel is active between UE110-1 and gNB (i.e., in any mode other than idle), the gNB may maintain multiple timers to determine the state in which the communication channel should be maintained. For example, a first timer (T1) may determine when a transition from a dedicated channel to a forward access channel occurs, a second timer (T2) may control when a transition from a forward access channel to a paging channel occurs, and a third timer (T3) may control when a transition from a paging channel to idle occurs. The duration of these timers may be set by the network operator. Traditionally, timers are static for all UEs. If a communication channel is used while a timer is active, the time may be reset. If a timer expires before the communication channel is used again, a transition may occur.

[0020] The cellular network system 100 includes an NMCS 140, which can communicate with the NDC 130 or directly with one or more gNB components such as the DU 127 and / or CU 129. The NMCS 140 can control the state of the communication channel between the UE and the gNB by sending channel maintain commands to the gNB. The NMCS 140 can use channel maintain commands to set or modify the duration of timers such as timer T300, or replace or swap such timers by making transitions on the communication channel in response to commands being sent from the NMCS 140 to the gNB.

[0021] The NMCS140 may determine the duration of the communication channel timer or the state in which the communication channel should be maintained based on multiple sources of information. The first source of information may be characteristics transmitted by the UE to the gNB and transmitted to the NMCS140 by the cellular network 125. Details of these characteristics are provided in relation to Figure 2. Additionally or alternatively, the NMCS may determine the duration of the communication channel timer or the state in which the communication channel should be maintained based on the characteristics of the SMS message itself. The gNB, which may include DU127 and CU129, or the SMSC134, may transmit the SMS message itself to the NMCS140, or transmit the characteristics of the SMS message to the NMCS140 for analysis. These characteristics may include the time the SMS was sent, the date the SMS message was sent, the geographical location from which the SMS message was sent, the identity of the sender of the SMS message, the identity of the recipient of the SMS message, the geographical location of the recipient, the application that sent the SMS message, the length of the SMS message, any specific strings present in the SMS message, the type or class of UE that originated the SMS message, the cellular network slice used by the sender, the cellular network slice used by the recipient, the number of SMS messages sent by the UE within a specified period, and / or the SMS code used (e.g., GSM code, USC2 code).

[0022] In addition to, or instead of, the characteristics of SMS messages and UEs, the NMCS140 may analyze the characteristics of the cellular network. The NMCS140 may receive characteristics of radio resource usage between the RU120 and the UE110. The NMCS140 may receive other network information, such as the processing or communication resource usage of specific components of the cellular network 125. The characteristics to be analyzed may additionally or alternatively include the RF state of the UE, the power consumption of the UE (e.g., if the signal transmitted to the gNB is of lower power, the power consumption of the UE is lower), network load, SINR, interference conditions, time, day of the week, etc.

[0023] The NMCS140 can function in various ways. In some embodiments, the NMCS140 has various rules to follow based on the characteristics of the UE, the characteristics of the SMS message, and / or the characteristics of the cellular network. These rules can be used to set or update the duration of timers such as timers of the T300 class. Alternatively, these rules can be used to send a command to the gNB indicating that a communication channel should be maintained in a particular active state or set to idle. Table 1indicates examples of possible rules that can be used to adjust the duration of a timer.

[0024]

Table 1

[0025] In some embodiments, instead of using predefined rules, an AI-based approach such as using the machine learning model 144 can be used by the NMCS140. Machine learning can include training the machine learning model 144 to determine the duration of the timer to be used and / or the time at which a command to switch the state of the communication channel to idle should be sent. The set of data for training can include a large number of SMS messages, the characteristics of the UE for which the SMS messages are to be sent / received, and data about the time when the UE will next require the available communication channels. For example, one possible implementation of machine learning can include training a neural network based on some or all of these characteristics. These characteristics can function as an input mechanism to the neural network. The neural network can then perform a classification based on this mechanism to select a predefined timer duration or duration class. In other embodiments, other forms of machine learning can be used to calculate a specific time that can be used to set the timer and / or determine when a command to change the state of the communication channel should be sent.

[0026] In some embodiments, the NMCS140 may modify a previously set timer. For example, it may be efficient to change the timer duration based on the characteristics of a changed UE. For instance, if the timer is set to expire, resulting in the communication channel being set to idle, but the NMCS140 receives characteristic information about a UE indicating that the user has opened an SMS application, the NMCS140 may increase the timer duration. Similarly, if the timer is not set to expire for a certain period of time, but the NMCS140 receives characteristic information about a UE indicating that the user has closed an SMS application, the NMCS140 may shorten the timer duration or send a command to the gNB indicating that the communication channel should be set to idle. Such modifications may be managed by the NMCS140 using rules or machine learning models.

[0027] In some embodiments, in addition to or instead of using the characteristics of the UE and / or SMS messages, data may be obtained from one or more other sources. For example, a separate data application 145 may provide the NMCS 140 with information that can be used to determine the conditions under which a communication channel should be set (or how the timer should be adjusted). As an example, a system receiving data from a streaming video camera may determine that the user has left the UE and is therefore unlikely to send an SMS text message in the near future. As another example, an OTT messaging application 150 may be a third-party messaging application that can provide data on whether another SMS message may be sent. As a practical example, the OTT messaging application 150 may provide the NMCS 140 with information indicating that the OTT messaging application 150 intends to send an SMS within a certain period, or that the OTT messaging application 150 expects the UE to respond within a certain period. This information can be used by the NMCS 140 to determine the duration of the timer or the specific conditions under which a communication channel should be set.

[0028] Figure 2 illustrates one embodiment of UE200, which functions as part of a cellular network system that implements intelligent cellular channel management. UE200 may function as, for example, UE110-1, UE110-2, UE110-3, etc. UE200 may include a processing system 210 and a radio component 220. The radio component 220 may enable UE200 to communicate via one or more RATs, such as 5G NR and 4G LTE. The radio component 220 may exchange data with the processing system 210.

[0029] The processing system 210 may include one or more dedicated processors or general-purpose processors. Such dedicated processors may include processors specifically designed to perform the functions detailed herein. Such dedicated processors may be ASICs or FPGAs, which are general-purpose components physically and electrically configured to perform the functions detailed herein. Such general-purpose processors may execute dedicated software stored using one or more non-temporary processor-readable media such as random access memory (RAM), flash memory, hard disk drives (HDDs), or solid-state drives (SSDs). The processing system 210 may perform the functions of the UE operating system (OS) 212, messaging applications 214, applications 216, and a channel controller 218, whether in the form of firmware, software, or dedicated hardware.

[0030] In addition to running UE OS212, a messaging application 214 may be run by the processing system 210. The messaging application 214 may be used to send and receive SMS text messages. Other forms of messages, such as Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) messages, may also be sent or received via the messaging application 214. A channel controller 218 may be run by the processing system 210. The channel controller 218 may be a background process that the user does not directly interact with. Rather, the channel controller 218 may monitor the characteristics of the UE200 based on the actions taken by the messaging application 214, application 216, and / or how the user interacts with the UE200. The channel controller 218 may periodically or occasionally send the characteristics of the UE to the NMCS. These characteristics may include whether the user is typing on the UE (or providing voice input), the speed and direction in which the UE is moving, the orientation of the UE, which applications are currently active, the state of applications (e.g., those performing an SMS-based authentication process), whether an SMS application is active, whether audio / video is being output by the UE, and whether the UE is locked. UE characteristics may be transmitted, anticipated, and / or sent to the cellular network via alternative routes, such as through packet connections, while the channel is already open.

[0031] Indicators of these characteristics may be occasionally transmitted to the cellular network and forwarded to the NMCS140. The NMCS140 may use this data to set timers for when the channel state should be changed to an idle state, or to determine when to send a command to the gNB to change the state.

[0032] Figure 3 illustrates a swim diagram of communication between the UE and the cellular core network of the cellular network system, which implements intelligent cellular channel management. In Figure 3, the interactions between the UE, gNB, AMF (5G Core Access and Mobility Function), SMSF, and SMSC are illustrated. The AMF can be understood as a function implemented by the NDC130 of the cellular network 125. The AMF may receive connection and session-related information from the UE and be responsible for processing connection and mobility management-related tasks.

[0033] A service request 310 occurs when a UE has an SMS message to be sent to the cellular network. At the time a service request exists in the UE, the UE may have its communication channel in idle mode. To establish a communication channel from idle mode, a two-step RACH (Random Access Channel) process 320 (or other process such as 3G) may be initiated by the UE. RACH is a shared channel used by multiple UEs to conduct unscheduled communication with a gNB. The physical layer channel used for RACH is referred to as PRACH. In the two-step RACH, a first transmission is sent from the UE to the gNB, containing an RA (Random Access) preamble and message, which may include the first SMS text to be sent. In response to the first transmission being successfully received, the gNB responds to the UE with a second transmission containing an RA response and message. The RA response may include a preamble ID, a time advance command, and an uplink grant for scheduling a future third transmission from the UE to the gNB.

[0034] Following a two-step RACH, a communication channel (RRC channel) is established with the UE, and the communication channel is not in idle mode. The UE has several reserved resource blocks (time slots and frequencies) for sending messages to the gNB. In blocks 330 and 340, the UE may use these reserved time slots to send future SMS messages while the communication channel is active (i.e., not idle). Such messages may be received by the gNB and processed in blocks 335 and 345.

[0035] At this point, the communication channel between the UE and the gNB is not idle. The NMCS performs its analysis based on the characteristics of the UE and / or SMS message to determine how the timer should be adjusted in the gNB (or when commands should be sent), which will determine when to idle the communication channel. Once idle, the two-step RACH process will need to be repeated.

[0036] When an SMS is initiated from an idle UE and sent via the NAS, the UE performs domain selection, and the UE and network perform a UE-triggered service request procedure to establish a NAS signaling connection to the AMF. The UE may construct the SMS message to be sent. The SMS message is encapsulated within the NAS message along with an indicator that the NAS message is for SMS forwarding. As part of block 340, the UE sends the NAS message to the AMF. The AMF may add information such as the current UE location and local time zone, and in block 350, may forward the SMS message and UE identity to the SMSF, which provides services to the UE. The SMSF may send an SMS acknowledgment message to the AMF. The AMF forwards the SMS acknowledgment message from the SMSF to the UE using a downlink unit data message. The SMSF may check the SMS management subscription data. The SMSF may forward the SMS message to the SMSC in block 355, and then forward the submit report, which is forwarded to the UE via the downlink NAS transport in blocks 360 and 365, to the AMF. If the SMS is sent from the UE while in non-idle mode, the service request process may not need to be performed.

[0037] If an SMS is sent and terminated at the UE via the NAS and the UE is in idle mode, the SMSC may send the SMS message addressed to the UE to the SMSF. The SMSF may check the SMS management subscription data. If SMS delivery is permitted (for example, according to a subscription mapped to the UE), the SMSF may contact the AMF, which may page the UE. The UE may then respond to the paging in a service request procedure. The SMSF may forward the SMS message destined for the AMF. The AMF may forward the SMS message to the UE. The UE may acknowledge receipt of the SMS message to the SMSF via the AMF. The AMF may add information including the current UE location and local time zone. The UE may return a delivery report. The delivery report may be encapsulated within a NAS message and sent to the AMF, which may then be forwarded to the SMSF. The SMSF may acknowledge receipt of the delivery report to the UE. The AMF encapsulates the SMS message via the NAS message to the UE. The process may remain the same, except that if the UE is already in non-idle mode, the AMF may not need to perform paging of the UE, and messages to the SMSF can immediately proceed to allow the SMSF to send SMS to the UE.

[0038] Figure 4 illustrates one embodiment of Method 400 for implementing intelligent cellular channel management. Method 400 can be implemented using the systems and devices detailed in relation to Figures 1 and 2. In block 405, the UE may not initially have an active physical layer communication channel (e.g., an RRC communication channel) that is active with the BS (e.g., a gNB). Therefore, in order to send data to the BS, more specifically to the gNB, the UE may first need to communicate using a random access channel, which may involve some signaling overhead. In block 410, the UE has received data to send to the gNB. In Method 400, the received data is an SMS message from a user. In other embodiments, data other than SMS messages may need to be transmitted. As an example, Method 400 may be applied to MMS messages or some other form of data transmission, such as data exchanged between a cellular network and an IoT device.

[0039] In response to receiving a message to send, the UE may perform a random access exchange with the BS in block 415. For example, as detailed in relation to Figure 3, a two-step RACH process may be performed, which may include the first part of the SMS message being sent as part of an RA exchange. This exchange includes the UE sending at least one RA message to the BS, the BS sending a response that can function as a collision resolver, successful receipt of acknowledgment regarding the RA message, and reserving a communication channel for the UE. In other embodiments, a four-step RACH process or some other form of RA process may be performed.

[0040] In block 420, if the SMS is long enough, the remaining portion of the SMS message may be withheld from transmission. The remaining portion of the SMS message may be sent in block 425 using the currently active communication channel. Blocks 420 and 425 may be repeated until the entire SMS message is sent.

[0041] In block 430, the first SMS message is sent. One or more properties of the SMS message, UE, or information from a third-party source may be analyzed by the NMCS to determine commands to send to the gNB regarding the initial value of a timer (e.g., a T300 class timer), the adjustment (increase or decrease) value of the timer, and / or whether the communication channel should be kept active, set to idle, or in a specific mode in which the communication channel should be maintained. In block 435, a channel maintain command may be sent to the gNB by the NMCS. The channel maintain command may provide the gNB with a value to use for a timer (e.g., a T300 timer), an adjustment to the timer's default value, or a command to set the communication channel to a specific mode.

[0042] Blocks 440, 450, and 455 may occur while the communication channel is still active. If another SMS message is sent in block 450, the RA process does not need to be performed because the communication channel contains at least a certain amount of physical communication resources reserved for communication between the UE and BS. The next SMS message received in block 450 is sent in block 455 using the communication channel that has been kept active by the NMCS. Method 400 may return to block 420, and the entire SMS message may be sent, and the NMCS may continue to evaluate the UE, the characteristics of the SMS message, and other characteristic sources for determining when the communication channel should be set to idle.

[0043] Returning to block 440, if the NMCS determines, based on the evaluated characteristics, that the communication channel should be idle, or if the NMCS sets a T300 class timer to a value that results in the communication channel being idle before the next SMS message is sent, method 400 may proceed to block 445. In block 445, the communication channel is set to idle. Method 400 then returns to block 405. The UE may remain in idle mode until any data changes are made between the UE and the BS in the future. If the UE needs to access the cellular network, the UE may need to repeat the RA process here, as there are no physical resources currently reserved for communication between the UE and the BS.

[0044] The methods, systems, and devices discussed above are examples. Various configurations may omit, replace, or add various procedures or components as needed. For example, in alternative configurations, the methods may be carried out in a different order than described, and / or various steps may be added, omitted, and / or combined. Also, mechanisms described for some configurations may be combined in various other configurations. Different aspects and elements of configurations may be combined in similar ways. Furthermore, as technology evolves, many elements are examples and do not limit the scope of disclosure or claims.

[0045] Specific details are given in the description to provide a complete understanding of the exemplary configuration (including implementation). However, the configuration can be implemented without these specific details. For example, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques are shown without unnecessary details to avoid obscuring the configuration. This description provides only exemplary configurations and does not limit the claims, applicability, or configuration. Rather, the foregoing description of the configuration will provide a valid explanation for implementing the described techniques for those skilled in the art. Various modifications can be made to the function and arrangement of the elements without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure.

[0046] Furthermore, the configuration can be described as a process depicted as a flow chart or block diagram. Each can be described as a sequential process, but many operations can be performed in parallel or simultaneously. The order of operations can also be rearranged. The process may have additional steps not included in the diagram. Moreover, examples of methods can be implemented by hardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, firmware, middleware, or microcode, the program code or code segments for performing the required tasks may be stored in a non-temporary computer-readable medium such as a storage medium. The processor can perform the described tasks.

[0047] While several exemplary configurations have been described, various modifications, alternative structures, and equivalents may be used without deviating from the spirit of disclosure. For example, the elements described above may be components of a larger system, and other rules may take precedence over the application of the invention, or otherwise alter the application of the invention. Furthermore, several steps may be taken before, during, or after considering the elements described above.

Claims

1. A cellular network system that implements intelligent cellular channel management, Cellular core network and A Short Message Service Center (SMSC) that functions as part of the aforementioned cellular core network, A cellular base station that communicates with the cellular core network, wherein the cellular base station (BS) wirelessly communicates with user equipment (UE) using cellular radio access technology (RAT), and the cellular BS A physical cellular communication channel is established between the UE and the aggregation unit (CU) of the cellular network system in order to send a Short Message Service (SMS) message via the SMSC in response to a cellular service request from the UE. The cellular BS is configured as follows, A cellular network messaging controller that communicates with the CU, wherein the cellular network messaging controller is Analyze one or more characteristics of the use of the aforementioned UE, Based on the analyzed characteristics of the use of the UE, the duration for which the physical cellular communication channel remains active is determined. Based on the cellular network messaging controller's determination to adjust the duration for which the physical cellular communication channel remains active, a channel maintenance command is sent to the CU to keep the physical cellular communication channel active. In response to the channel maintenance command, the physical cellular communication channel is kept active. The cellular network messaging controller is configured to do the following: A cellular network system, including a cellular network system.

2. Sending the SMS message via the physical cellular communication channel, Transmitting one or more characteristics of the use of the UE to the cellular BS. The cellular network system according to claim 1, further comprising the UE configured to do so.

3. The cellular network system according to claim 2, wherein the UE is configured to transmit a first characteristic indicating that an SMS messaging application is open on the UE.

4. The cellular network system according to claim 3, wherein the UE is configured to transmit a second characteristic indicating that a user is typing on the UE.

5. The cellular network system according to claim 2, wherein the SMSC is configured to receive the SMS message transmitted by the UE via the physical cellular communication channel and to transmit the SMS message to a destination.

6. The cellular network system according to claim 1, wherein the physical cellular communication channel includes radio resources reserved for use between the cellular BS and the UE while active.

7. The cellular network system according to claim 1, wherein the channel maintenance command causes the cellular core network to increase the duration of the channel timer, and when the channel timer expires, the physical cellular communication channel is set to idle.

8. The cellular network system according to claim 1, wherein the cellular core network sets the physical cellular communication channel to idle after receiving the channel maintenance command.

9. The cellular network system according to claim 1, wherein the cellular network messaging controller performs a machine learning process to analyze the one or more characteristics of the use of the UE, the one or more characteristics of the use of the UE being characteristics of SMS messages transmitted by the UE.

10. The cellular network system according to claim 9, wherein the machine learning process includes analyzing at least one characteristic selected from the group consisting of the length of the SMS message, the time the SMS message was sent, the location of the UE to which the SMS message was sent, and the SMS code.

11. The cellular network system according to claim 1, wherein the cellular core network is native 5G nuradio (NR), and the cellular base station is gNodeB.

12. A method for implementing intelligent cellular channel management, In order to send a Short Message Service (SMS) message in response to a cellular service request from a user device (UE), a physical cellular communication channel is established between the UE and the cellular network aggregation unit (CU) by a cellular base station (BS), The cellular network messaging controller analyzes one or more characteristics of the aforementioned UE, the aforementioned SMS message, or both thereof. Based on the analyzed characteristics of one or more of the above, the cellular network messaging controller determines the duration for which the physical cellular communication channel remains active. Based on the cellular network messaging controller's determination to adjust the duration for which the physical cellular communication channel remains active, the cellular network messaging controller transmits a channel maintenance command to the CU to keep the physical cellular communication channel active, In response to the channel maintenance command, the CU keeps the physical cellular communication channel active. Methods that include...

13. The UE transmits the SMS message via the physical cellular communication channel, The characteristics of the use of the aforementioned UE are transmitted to the cellular BS by the aforementioned UE. The method according to claim 12, further comprising:

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the characteristic indicates that the SMS messaging application is open on the UE.

15. The UE transmits a second characteristic indicating that the user is entering text into the UE. The method according to claim 14, further comprising:

16. The SMS message transmitted by the UE via the physical cellular communication channel is received by the Short Message Service Center (SMSC) of the cellular network, The SMS message is routed to the destination by the SMSC. The method according to claim 12, further comprising:

17. The method according to claim 12, wherein the physical cellular communication channel includes radio resources reserved for use between the cellular BS and the UE while active.

18. The CU increases the duration of the channel timer in response to the channel maintenance command, and when the channel timer expires, the physical cellular communication channel is set to idle. The method according to claim 12, further comprising:

19. The CU sets the physical cellular communication channel to idle based on the channel maintenance command. The method according to claim 12, further comprising:

20. The cellular network messaging controller performs a machine learning process to analyze one or more characteristics of the use of the UE, wherein the one or more characteristics of the use of the UE are characteristics of SMS messages transmitted by the UE. The method according to claim 12, further comprising:

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