Backoff Timer Association for Wireless Terminal Congestion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
User equipment (UE) malfunctions and experiences unnecessary procedures and delays in network congestion states due to ineffective handling of network signaling, leading to resource and power wastage.
Innovation Solution
A method for operating user equipment that associates a backoff timer with a specific Access Point Name (APN) in network congestion states, preventing unnecessary signaling and optimizing communication efficiency by limiting operations during congestion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a backoff timer is applied to all APNs in network congestion, then network congestion is controlled, but UE performs unnecessary procedures and experiences delays even when other APNs are available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the backoff timer mechanism by APN. Instead of applying a single backoff timer to all APNs, the system now applies separate backoff timers on a per-APN basis. This allows the UE to differentiate between congested and non-congested APNs, preventing unnecessary delays when alternative APNs are available while still controlling congestion on affected APNs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by making the backoff timer application selective rather than uniform. The congestion control mechanism now operates locally at the APN level, allowing different backoff behaviors for different APNs based on their individual congestion states. This resolves the contradiction by applying congestion control only where needed rather than globally.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional signaling procedures are performed in congested network, then network protocols are followed, but radio resources and power are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic behavior to the UE operation in congested networks. The UE now dynamically adjusts its signaling behavior based on received congestion indications and backoff timer states. Instead of rigidly following conventional procedures, the UE dynamically suppresses unnecessary signaling when congestion is detected, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining protocol compliance for essential operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the UE based on network congestion state. When congestion indications are received, the UE modifies its behavior by starting backoff timers and suppressing retransmissions or new connection requests during the timer period. This parameter change in UE behavior reduces radio resource usage and power consumption while maintaining necessary protocol functionality.
3Device complexity
If backoff timer is applied without APN association, then congestion control is simplified, but UE cannot differentiate between congested and non-congested APNs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by associating the backoff timer with specific APN information before the timer expires. When congestion is detected on a particular APN, the system preliminarily marks that APN with a backoff timer value, allowing the UE to later differentiate between congested and non-congested APNs. This preliminary association preserves APN-specific congestion information without significantly complicating the overall mechanism.
Data Source
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AI summary
A terminal and a method for operating the terminal are disclosed, the method comprising: transmitting a PDN connection request message without an APN; receiving a PDN connection rejection message including a backoff timer; and applying the backoff timer only to a specific APN.