Bearer Deactivation for Infrequent Machine Type Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Communication systems, particularly those with machine-type communication devices, face inefficiencies in managing infrequent data transmissions, as existing methods keep bearers active unnecessarily, consuming resources and increasing signaling traffic.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that negotiate and deactivate bearers based on characteristics such as validity time or end-markers, allowing devices to disconnect from the network after data transmission is complete, reducing unnecessary resource reservation and signaling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the bearer remains active until explicit deactivation, then data transmission can be performed without re-establishment overhead, but resources are consumed unnecessarily and signaling traffic increases for infrequent transmissions
Solution Approach 1:
The bearer state is made dynamic by introducing an implicit deactivation mechanism based on inactivity timeout. Instead of a static active state until explicit deactivation, the bearer automatically transitions from active to inactive state after a predetermined period of no data transmission, allowing the system to adapt resource allocation to actual usage patterns
Solution Approach 2:
The bearer performs self-deactivation through the implicit mechanism without requiring explicit deactivation signaling. The system monitors its own activity state and automatically releases resources when the inactivity threshold is met, eliminating the need for additional control plane signaling for deactivation
2Productivity
If the bearer remains active, then transmission can occur without re-establishment, but signaling traffic increases due to unnecessary bearer maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The implicit deactivation mechanism operates periodically by monitoring inactivity intervals. The bearer is automatically deactivated after a predetermined period of no transmission, creating a periodic active-inactive cycle that matches actual usage patterns and eliminates continuous signaling overhead
Data Source
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AI summary
Communication systems, such as an evolved packet system, may benefit from methods for addressing infrequent transmissions. In particular, certain communication systems in which machine type communication devices are deployed may benefit from a machine type communication feature for infrequent transmission. A method for providing such a feature can include negotiating at least one characteristic of a bearer. The method can also include deactivating the bearer based on the at least one characteristic.