Cell-Level Paging Database for Wireless Network Signaling Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless telecommunications systems face capacity bottlenecks in paging procedures, particularly with the increasing number of machine-type communication devices, leading to inefficient use of radio resources and potential false paging, which is exacerbated by the high ratio of idle to active devices and discontinuous transmission techniques.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a cell-level paging approach where base stations maintain records of terminal devices for which they are responsible, selectively transmitting paging messages based on these records, and using modified paging requests to determine the appropriate paging procedure, reducing unnecessary signaling and resource waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If traditional area-level paging is used to support widespread MTC device deployment, then network coverage is improved, but paging capacity becomes a bottleneck due to the large number of idle devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the traditional area-level paging approach into cell-level paging by maintaining separate paging databases at each base station. This segmentation allows paging operations to be performed at a more granular level, reducing the number of base stations that need to be paged for each MTC device and thereby improving paging capacity while maintaining wide coverage support
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements location-specific paging databases at each base station that store cell IDs and device identifiers for MTC devices previously connected through that base station. This local quality approach enables each base station to independently determine whether to page a device based on local records, reducing unnecessary paging transmissions across the entire network area
2Reliability
If all base stations in a tracking area transmit paging messages, then reliable device reachability is improved, but radio resources are wasted due to unnecessary paging transmissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by maintaining paging databases at base stations that record cell IDs and device identifiers for MTC devices previously connected through each base station. This preliminary record-keeping enables base stations to proactively determine whether they need to page a device before actually transmitting paging messages, preventing unnecessary radio resource consumption while ensuring reliable reachability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by having only those base stations that have relevant MTC devices in their paging databases transmit paging messages, rather than all base stations in the tracking area. This selective approach reduces radio resource waste while maintaining sufficient paging coverage for actual device locations
3Loss of energy
If cell-level paging with base station records is implemented, then radio resource efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional database maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by having base stations automatically maintain their own paging databases using information already available from MTC device connection attempts. The databases are populated and updated through normal network operations without requiring external management systems, reducing the operational complexity despite the added functionality
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of paging in a wireless telecommunications system is described. A core network element selects a base station from among a plurality of base stations comprising a tracking area to have primary responsibility for paging a terminal device and conveys an indication of the terminal device to the selected base station. This allows the selected base station to identify the terminal device as one which it has a responsibility for paging. Each base station maintains a paging database identifying one or more terminal devices for which it has a responsibility for paging. When a terminal device is to be paged, the core network element transmits a paging request to the plurality of base stations comprising the tracking area. The respective base stations then determine whether or not to onward transmit a paging message for the terminal device based on a comparison between an identifier for the terminal device being paged with entries in their paging database. If a base station determines from this comparison that it has a responsibility for paging the terminal device, it will transmit a paging message accordingly. If a base station determines from this comparison that it does not have a responsibility for paging the terminal device, it will not act on the paging request received from the core network. Thus an approach is provided which can have a reduced amount of paging signalling as compared to conventional techniques.