Coverage-Aware Access Control for MTC Network Congestion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Machine Type Communication (MTC) devices cause network congestion due to simultaneous access, leading to increased time-frequency resource consumption and reduced network efficiency, especially in scenarios requiring coverage enhancement for signal reception.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an access control method that configures different access control modes based on coverage areas, using access control configuration information to manage terminal device access, including direct indication and indirect indication methods, to reduce network congestion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If coverage enhancement is implemented by repeatedly transmitting uplink or downlink signals multiple times, then the signal reception coverage is improved, but the time-frequency resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal coverage areaVSAvoidtime-frequency resources
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by configuring different access control modes for different coverage areas. Terminals in coverage enhancement areas (with poor signal) are assigned specific access modes that differ from terminals in normal coverage areas, allowing optimized resource usage tailored to local coverage conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic access control where the network device can configure and update access control modes based on terminal device locations and network conditions. The access control configuration information is dynamically adjusted to match changing coverage requirements and network load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If all terminal devices access the network simultaneously, then the network acceptance capability is tested, but network congestion occurs and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork access capabilityVSAvoidnetwork efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments terminals into different groups based on their coverage areas and configures different access control modes for each group. This segmentation prevents simultaneous access attempts from all terminals, distributing access requests over time and reducing network congestion while maintaining overall network accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic access control where terminals in different coverage areas are configured with different access patterns. By controlling when terminals can access the network based on their configured access modes, the system creates a periodic distribution of access attempts rather than simultaneous requests, improving network efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3678420B1Access control method and device
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3678420B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3678420B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3678420B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Embodiments of this application provide an access control method and an apparatus. The access control method of this application includes: sending, by a network device, access control configuration information to a terminal device, where the access control configuration information is used to indicate access control mode information corresponding to at least one coverage area; and determining, by the terminal device, the access control mode of the terminal device based on the access control configuration information and a coverage area of the terminal device. Embodiments of this application may prevent terminal devices in a network from impacting on the network when the terminal devices simultaneously access the network, to reduce network congestion.