Mobile Device Back-Off Timer Management for APN Congestion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mobile communication networks, particularly during PDP context activation procedures, the behavior of mobile devices is indeterminate when receiving rejection messages due to APN congestion, especially when back-off timers are involved, leading to undefined scenarios and potential service disruptions.
Innovation Solution
A mobile communication device with a wireless module and a controller module that transmits and receives messages to manage PDP context activations, including starting and managing back-off timers in response to congestion rejection messages, allowing for retransmissions when timers expire or are deactivated, thereby controlling congestion and ensuring service access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UE starts a back-off timer upon receiving congestion rejection, then network congestion is controlled, but service access is delayed until timer expiration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the back-off timer value adjustable rather than fixed. The network can dynamically set different timer values based on congestion severity, and the UE adapts its behavior accordingly. This resolves the contradiction by allowing flexible timing - severe congestion gets longer timers for better control, while mild congestion gets shorter timers for faster service restoration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of back-off timer duration based on congestion conditions. The network server determines appropriate timer values and communicates them to UEs, allowing the system to optimize between congestion control effectiveness and service access speed by adjusting this key parameter according to real-time network state.
2Reliability
If the UE does not initiate PDP context activation during back-off timer period, then network congestion is reduced, but service responsiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the network server monitors congestion conditions and provides feedback to UEs through back-off timer values and rejection messages. When congestion eases, the network can signal UEs to resume normal operation, creating a responsive feedback loop that balances congestion control with service responsiveness based on real-time network conditions.
3Ease of operation
If the UE retransmits PDP context activation request after timer expiration, then service access is restored, but network congestion may recur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action through the back-off timer mechanism, which creates structured intervals between PDP context activation attempts. This periodic restraint prevents UEs from immediately retransmitting requests after timer expiration, spacing out activations to allow network resources to recover, thus reducing congestion recurrence while enabling eventual service restoration.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile communication device wirelessly connected to a service network with a default Packet Data Protocol (PDP) context active for an Access Point Name (APN) is provided. In the mobile communication device, a wireless module performs wireless transmissions and receptions to and from a service network, and a controller module transmits a request message for activating a secondary PDP context associated with the APN to the service network via the wireless module. Also, the controller module receives a rejection message indicating no resource available or congestion for the APN and a value of a back-off timer from the service network via the wireless module, and retransmits the request message to the service network via the wireless module in response to the value of the back-off timer being zero.