Cellular Network Overload Handling via Dynamic Threshold Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile cellular network technologies are inadequate in handling unpredictable and widespread overload situations, such as those occurring during events like traffic jams or emergencies, leading to high blocking probabilities and user dissatisfaction, as they primarily focus on temporary load balancing and do not effectively manage congestion on signaling channels.
Innovation Solution
A method that monitors various blocking relevant criteria across the access, transport, and core networks, triggering countermeasures when specific thresholds are exceeded, including measures like wait timers, dynamic access class adjustments, and backoff timers to reduce traffic load, and allows for flexible combinations of criteria and thresholds to detect and manage blocking events effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If load defence strategies such as load dependent sharing of resources or shifting traffic to neighbouring cells are used, then temporary overload situations can be handled effectively, but substantial traffic demand exceeding capacity cannot be managed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic overload handling by continuously monitoring multiple blocking relevant criteria (traffic channel blocking, signalling channel blocking, processor load, etc.) and adapting network behavior in real-time. The system dynamically adjusts access control based on current network conditions, enabling effective response to both temporary and substantial overload situations that static strategies cannot handle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes multiple network parameters simultaneously to handle overload: it monitors and responds to changes in blocking probabilities, processor load percentages, traffic channel availability, and signalling channel capacity. By detecting changes in these parameters and triggering appropriate countermeasures, the system adapts to varying overload conditions effectively.
2Ease of operation
If pre-emption features such as enhanced Multi-Level Precedence and Pre-emption are applied, then high-priority users can access during traffic channel congestion, but access during signalling channel congestion is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal overload handling mechanism that monitors and responds to blocking on both traffic channels and signalling channels, as well as processor load. This multi-functional approach ensures that high-priority users can access the network regardless of whether congestion occurs on traffic channels, signalling channels, or processing resources, making the solution applicable to all types of network overload.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary monitoring and control mechanism that detects blocking conditions across multiple network layers (traffic channels, signalling channels, processor load) and mediates access decisions. This intermediary layer enables coordinated response to overload conditions, allowing high-priority users to bypass congestion through controlled access restriction of lower-priority users.
3Productivity
If the network is temporarily hidden to reduce access requests, then signalling traffic is reduced, but user access is completely blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing selective access control rather than complete network hiding. Instead of blocking all users uniformly, the system identifies and restricts access only for non-critical or lower-priority users while maintaining access for high-priority users and critical services. This localized approach reduces signalling traffic without completely blocking user access.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by applying access restrictions only to the extent necessary to reduce signalling load, rather than completely hiding the network. The system monitors blocking conditions and triggers proportional countermeasures, restricting access partially when overload is detected and adjusting the level of restriction based on the severity and type of congestion.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention refers to a method for handling an overload situation in a mobile cellular network separated into an access network, a transport network and a core network, wherein at least one blocking relevant criterion of the mobile cellular network is monitored by measuring at least one criterion related parameter and comparing the at least one measured parameter to a certain parameter threshold, and wherein at least one countermeasure for handling an overload situation is triggered if at least one measured parameter falls below or exceeds the respective parameter threshold, and wherein at least one blocking relevant criterion is related to a possible blocking event at the access network.