Application Class Access Control for Congested Mobile Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current access control mechanisms in 3G and 4G networks fail to differentiate between applications, leading to unnecessary barring of non-congestion-causing services during network congestion, affecting essential services like disaster messaging and voice communication.
Innovation Solution
Implement application class-based access control (ASAC) that classifies applications into priority categories and allows or bars access based on congestion levels, using self-trained identification and gradual deactivation methods to manage network traffic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional access control mechanisms (ACB, EAB, SSAC) are used to bar access during network congestion, then network congestion is reduced, but essential services and non-congestion-causing applications are unnecessarily barred
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the access control mechanism by introducing application class identifiers that divide applications into different categories (e.g., emergency, high priority, low priority). This segmentation allows the network to selectively bar only specific application classes during congestion while permitting essential services to access the network, thus resolving the contradiction between reducing congestion and maintaining service availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different access control policies to be applied to different application classes. Instead of a uniform barring approach, the system assigns specific barring parameters (barring factor, barring time) to each application class, enabling localized control that preserves essential services while restricting non-essential ones during network congestion.
2Reliability
If application class-based access control is implemented to differentiate between applications, then service availability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by making the application class identifier a multi-functional element that serves multiple purposes: it identifies the application type, determines the access control policy, and controls the barring behavior. This single identifier handles what would otherwise require multiple separate mechanisms, thereby improving service availability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent simplifies the access control mechanism by changing the parameter structure from multiple separate barring parameters to a unified application class identifier that maps to predefined barring behaviors. This parameter change reduces the complexity of the access control logic while maintaining the ability to differentiate between applications and preserve essential services.
3Stability of the object's composition
If gradual deactivation method is used to permit access by barred applications, then network stability is improved, but access time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action through the gradual deactivation method, where barred applications are permitted to access the network in staged intervals rather than all at once. The system periodically releases applications from barring status, allowing network resources to be gradually allocated. This periodic approach maintains network stability by preventing sudden traffic bursts while ultimately providing access to all applications.
Data Source
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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.