Application-Specific Access Control for Congested Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current access control mechanisms in 3G and 4G networks fail to differentiate between applications, leading to network congestion and disruption of essential services during high demand scenarios, such as disasters or high user density areas, as they bar all applications of a UE without distinction.
Innovation Solution
Implement application class-based access control (ASAC) that classifies applications into specific categories and allows or bars access based on predefined rules, adjusting these rules according to network congestion levels and using self-trained identification methods to manage access dynamically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If access control mechanisms bar a percentage of user equipment from accessing the network, then network congestion is reduced, but essential services like emergency and high priority services are also barred
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments user equipment into different access classes (AC 0-9 for normal UEs, AC 11-15 for special UEs) and further segments applications into different priority levels. This segmentation allows the system to apply different access control policies to different segments, enabling congestion management without blocking essential services. The network can bar lower priority applications while maintaining access for emergency and high priority services through class-specific barring factors and times.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating access control treatment based on application type and priority. Instead of uniform barring, the system applies specific barring factors and barring times to different application classes. High priority applications receive different (more favorable) access control parameters compared to low priority applications, allowing selective congestion management that preserves essential service quality.
2Productivity
If access control mechanisms bar all applications of a UE, then network congestion is combated, but application-specific differentiation is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides applications into multiple classes based on priority and type (e.g., emergency services, high priority, low priority applications). Each class can be subject to different access control parameters including different barring factors and barring times. This segmentation enables the network to manage congestion at the application level rather than uniformly, maintaining flexibility and adaptability while improving network resource management.
Solution Approach 2:
The access control parameters (barring factors, barring times) are dynamic and can be adjusted based on network conditions and application requirements. The system can dynamically modify access control policies for different application classes, allowing the network to adapt to changing congestion levels and service requirements. This dynamic adjustment maintains versatility in application-level control while effectively managing network resources.
3Device complexity
If access control mechanisms are implemented without application differentiation, then system complexity is reduced, but network congestion cannot be effectively managed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces segmentation by classifying applications into different priority levels and assigning different access control parameters to each class. This segmentation enables effective congestion management by targeting specific application types rather than applying uniform control. The increased structural complexity is justified by the significant improvement in congestion management effectiveness, allowing the network to prioritize essential services while managing resource consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A method implemented on a UE includes determining an application class of an application, and permitting or barring access by the application to a communication network according to a comparison of the determined application with a rule to provide application class based access control. The application is classified into the determined application class. The application is classified into the determined application class by a home network. The application is classified into the determined application class by a 3GPP layer. The application is classified into the determined application class by a visited network. The visited network classifies the application into a further application class. The rule includes a list of applications for permitting or barring access by the applications according to the comparison of the determined application class with the rule.