Application Class Access Control for Congested Communication Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing access control mechanisms in 3G and 4G networks fail to differentiate between applications, leading to indiscriminate barring that affects essential services during network congestion, such as in disaster scenarios or high user density areas, necessitating a more nuanced approach to manage network resources effectively.
Innovation Solution
Implement application class-based access control (ASAC) that classifies applications into specific categories, allowing or barring access based on predefined rules, which are dynamically updated according to network congestion levels, and includes methods for gradual deactivation and application identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional access control mechanisms (ACB, EAB) are used to bar user equipment during network congestion, then network overload is reduced, but essential services are also disrupted along with non-essential applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments applications into different access classes (0-15) based on their priority and essentiality. Each application is assigned a specific access class, allowing the network to selectively control access on a per-application basis rather than applying uniform barring to all applications. This segmentation enables essential services to maintain access while non-essential applications are barred during congestion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by applying different access control parameters to different access classes. Each access class has its own barring factor and mean barring time parameters, allowing the network to apply differentiated quality of service policies locally to specific application types rather than uniformly across all applications.
2Loss of energy
If uniform access barring is applied to all user equipment during congestion, then network resources are protected, but application-specific control is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the existing access class barring mechanism to support application-specific control by making the access class assignment universal across different applications. The same ACB/EAB parameters and procedures are reused, but now applied at the application level rather than UE level, providing multi-functionality without requiring entirely new control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an application class identifier as an intermediary between the application layer and the access control mechanism. This identifier serves as a mediator that connects application-specific requirements with the network's access control parameters, enabling fine-grained control without direct complex interaction between applications and the network.
3Adaptability or versatility
If access control rules are dynamically updated based on congestion levels, then network adaptability is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple access control rules with different barring parameters for different congestion scenarios. The network stores multiple sets of parameters (e.g., different barring factors and mean barring times) in advance, allowing rapid switching between rules based on current congestion levels without requiring time-consuming real-time calculations or negotiations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamics by enabling the network to dynamically select and switch between pre-configured access control rules based on real-time congestion conditions. The system transitions from static access control to dynamic rule selection, where the appropriate rule set is activated based on current network load, providing adaptability while maintaining efficiency.
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.