5G Subscriber Provisioning by TAC for Demand-Matched Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The mismatch between subscriber boundaries and tracking areas in 5G SA networks leads to variability in network capacity provisioning, causing inefficiencies in managing resource allocation and user demands during traffic spikes.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for provisioning 5G subscribers by tracking area code (TAC) that identifies frequently accessed base stations and creates a table to upgrade only those subscribers within specific TAC areas, ensuring precise matching of network capacity to user demand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If subscriber boundaries are used for provisioning, then existing network management framework is maintained, but network capacity provisioning becomes mismatched with user demand across tracking areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the provisioning process by introducing Tracking Area Code (TAC) as a granular geographic identifier. Instead of treating entire subscriber boundaries as provisioning units, the system divides the network into smaller tracking areas and provisions capacity at the TAC level. This segmentation allows precise matching of network capacity to actual user locations and demand patterns within specific geographic areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by enabling differentiated provisioning strategies for different tracking areas. Each TAC can have customized capacity allocation, service profiles, and resource allocation based on local user density, traffic patterns, and service demands. This allows the network to optimize quality of service locally in each tracking area rather than applying uniform provisioning across entire subscriber boundaries.
2Productivity
If all subscribers within a subscriber boundary are upgraded to 5G SA service, then comprehensive service coverage is achieved, but network resources are inefficiently allocated during traffic spikes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic provisioning by allowing network capacity allocation to change based on real-time conditions within each tracking area. The system can dynamically adjust the number of 5G SA subscribers, activate or deactivate tracking areas, and modify resource allocation in response to traffic spikes, user mobility patterns, and network load conditions. This dynamic approach replaces static subscriber-boundary-based provisioning with flexible TAC-level control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the provisioning parameter from subscriber boundary identifiers to Tracking Area Codes. By using TAC as the primary provisioning parameter, the system can independently control and adjust network capacity parameters (such as number of subscribers, bandwidth allocation, and service profiles) for each geographic tracking area. This parameter change enables granular control over resource allocation efficiency while maintaining service consistency through standardized TAC-based management.
3Measurement precision
If tracking area code-based provisioning is implemented, then precise matching of network capacity to user demand is achieved, but provisioning system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the existing Tracking Area Code infrastructure, which is already universally deployed in LTE and 5G networks for mobility management and location tracking. By repurposing this existing TAC mechanism for capacity provisioning purposes, the system achieves precise user demand matching without requiring entirely new identification systems. The TAC serves multiple functions: location tracking, mobility management, and now capacity provisioning, reducing the need for additional complex provisioning-specific infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a device having a processing system including a processor; and a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations of determining a set of base stations in a tracking area having a tracking area code (TAC), wherein user equipment of a subscriber will be upgraded for fifth generation (5G) stand-alone (SA) service in the tracking area; identifying a plurality of user equipment that each use one or more base stations in the set more than any other base stations outside of the set; and providing a listing of the plurality of user equipment and the TAC of the tracking area associated with the one or more base stations in the set to a provisioning subsystem. Other embodiments are disclosed.