Cell Access Barring for Low-Complexity and Regular UEs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication networks lack the ability to differentiate access control for low complexity User Equipments (UEs) and regular UEs, making it difficult to manage network load and prioritize access during congestion or resource shortages.
Innovation Solution
Assigning low complexity UEs with distinct access categories or identities, and optionally broadcasting separate UAC configurations, to enable differentiated access barring and prioritize regular UEs over low complexity UEs during network overload.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If access control is applied uniformly to all UEs, then network management is simplified, but low complexity UEs cannot be differentiated from regular UEs during network overload
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the UE population into distinct categories (low complexity UEs and regular UEs) by assigning different access identities to each group. This segmentation enables the network to apply differentiated access control parameters to each segment, allowing low complexity UEs to be prioritized or deprioritized independently during network overload conditions without affecting the entire UE population uniformly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by configuring cell-specific access control parameters that are tailored to local network conditions and requirements. Each cell can independently configure access identities and associated parameters (such as access barring factors, barring times, and priority levels) to match local traffic patterns, service requirements, and network capacity, enabling fine-grained control over different UE types in different geographical areas.
2Productivity
If differentiated access control for low complexity UEs is implemented, then network load management is improved, but access control mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring access identities and associating them with specific UE types before network overload occurs. The network can establish access control policies, assign access identities to low complexity UEs, and configure cell-specific parameters in advance, so that when network congestion occurs, the differentiated control mechanisms are already in place and can be activated immediately without requiring complex real-time decision-making or configuration changes.
3Reliability
If access identities are assigned to differentiate UE types, then access prioritization during congestion is enabled, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the access identity assignment with existing UE identification and registration procedures. Instead of introducing separate signaling messages solely for access identity assignment, the mechanism integrates identity assignment into routine network procedures such as initial access, registration, or capability exchange, thereby enabling service prioritization while minimizing additional signaling overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
A method performed by a network node, for controlling access of a first User Equipment (UE) and a second UE to a cell in a radio communications network is provided. The first UE is of a low complexity type, and wherein the second UE is of a regular type. A first association is assigned to the first UE. The first association associates the first UE with its low complexity type. A second association is assigned to the second UE. The second association associates the second UE with its regular type. The network node controls (302) access of the first UE and second UE by sending a rule to the first UE and second UE. The rule is related to access control that is different for UEs with different associations, for accessing to the radio communications network. The rule triggers the first UE to perform access barring check based on the first association and the obtained rule when initiating an access attempt to the cell, while the second UE performs access barring check based on the second association and the obtained rule.