Dynamic Bearer Management in LTE Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless networks, such as LTE, lack dynamic adjustment of Quality of Service (QoS) and Access Point Name (APN) parameters, leading to suboptimal performance due to static settings that fail to adapt to changing network conditions, resulting in adverse effects like outages and congestion, and lack the ability to identify and mitigate disruptive signaling traffic.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system where a Mobility Management Entity (MME) and Home Subscriber Server (HSS) dynamically adjust QoS and APN parameters based on real-time network conditions, such as bearer requests and thresholds, and identify disruptive mobile devices to mitigate excessive signaling traffic by instructing them to reduce or discontinue transmission and potentially disconnect them.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If static QoS and APN parameters are used for bearer establishment, then the network configuration is simple and easy to manage, but the network cannot adapt to changing conditions resulting in outages and congestion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork adaptability to changing conditionsVSAvoidbearer management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic bearer management where the HSS receives bearer request notifications from the MME, determines current network conditions, and dynamically adjusts QoS and APN parameters based on real-time thresholds. This transforms the static parameter system into a dynamic one that automatically adapts to changing network conditions, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes a feedback loop where the MME notifies the HSS about bearer requests and current network conditions. The HSS uses this feedback to determine whether to adjust parameters, creating a closed-loop control system that enables adaptive management without requiring complex manual configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If signaling traffic and user traffic share the same network resources, then resource utilization is efficient, but disruptive signaling traffic adversely affects user data traffic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser data traffic reliabilityVSAvoiddisruptive signaling traffic impact

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The HSS acts as an intermediary between the MME and the bearer establishment process. It monitors signaling traffic patterns, identifies disruptive sources by analyzing bearer request notifications, and selectively adjusts parameters to protect user data traffic while maintaining efficient resource sharing. This intermediary function isolates the harmful effects of disruptive signaling without requiring complete traffic segregation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8892144B2Dynamic bearer management

Publication Date: 2014.11.18 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

An MME may request QoS and/or APN parameters from an HSS that may determine whether the MME is approaching or exceeds a threshold number of requested or supportable bearers. The HSS may adjust the QoS/APN parameters based on the threshold determination. The number of bearer requests or established bearers and the total number of supportable bearers may be calculated by the HSS or provided by the MME. The HSS may also take into account the status of other MMEs in the network in adjusting QoS/APN parameters. Upon detecting heavy signaling traffic from a UE, an HSS may take steps, or instruct a policy manager, to reduce or prevent traffic from the UE.