Asynchronous Location Number Updates for MSC Discount Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing Dynamic Discount Solution (DDS) for telecommunication networks faces performance issues due to slow Location Number updates on Mobile Switching Centers (MSCs), which impact the timely effectiveness of discounts and network traffic balancing, especially during high traffic loads and when handling a large number of cells.
Innovation Solution
An asynchronous method of updating Location Numbers on MSCs by using consecutive time intervals, where a first set of digits represents one discount and a second set represents another, allowing for near real-time updates and efficient discount application during service requests.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If Location Number updates are performed synchronously on MSC, then data consistency is maintained, but update speed is slow and cannot keep up with high traffic loads
Solution Approach 1:
The Location Number is segmented into two parts: a stable first part containing essential identification data, and a volatile second part containing discount information. This segmentation allows the second part to be updated asynchronously without affecting the stability of the first part, thus improving update speed while maintaining data consistency through selective synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating and storing discount information in the Location Number before actual usage. The MSC receives updated Location Numbers from the charging system in advance, allowing discounts to be applied immediately when calls occur, thereby reducing real-time processing delays.
2Productivity
If multiple Location Number updates are performed in parallel, then update efficiency improves, but MSC exchange data interference and corruption risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the Location Number into stable and volatile parts, the system enables parallel updates of the volatile second part without interfering with the stable first part. This segmentation isolates the harmful effects of parallel processing to only the discount portion, allowing efficient updates while preventing MSC exchange data corruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The charging system acts as an intermediary that receives updated Location Numbers and manages the update process. This intermediary coordinates updates from multiple sources, ensuring that parallel updates do not cause interference or corruption in the MSC exchange data while maintaining high update efficiency.
3Power
If Location Number updates are delayed, then MSC processing load is reduced, but discount effectiveness is compromised due to timing delays
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by receiving and storing updated Location Numbers from the charging system before actual call processing. This allows the MSC to have ready-to-apply discount information available immediately when calls occur, minimizing timing delays while reducing processing load during off-peak update periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the update frequency and timing of Location Numbers based on network conditions and traffic patterns. During low-traffic periods, updates are performed more frequently to ensure discount effectiveness. During high-traffic periods, the system maintains sufficient update cadence while reducing processing intensity, balancing discount timing with MSC processing capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus of updating location numbers of cells associated with a mobile switching center, MSC (110), wherein each cell has a location number (124), identifying the cell and representing a discount applicable to the cell, wherein a first set of one or more digits (D1) of the location number represents a first discount applicable to service usage in the cell during a first time interval, and a second set of one or more digits (D2) of the location number represents a second discount applicable to service usage in the cell during a second time interval. The method comprising: for each cell, receiving in the MSC (110) within a first time interval, a location number for the cell with an updated second set of the one or more digits representing the second discount; in response to any service request during the first time interval, applying charging of the requested service with the first discount; for each cell, receiving in the MSC (110) within a second time interval following the first time interval, a location number for the cell with an updated first set of the one or more digits representing the first discount and; and applying charging of the requested service with the second discount.