Mobile Edge Service Access Control for User Equipment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems lack effective access control mechanisms to limit or prevent data traffic and services, especially in roaming situations, where mobile edge computing services are not available to user equipment (UE) in a 'Data-Off' state, leading to unnecessary roaming-related costs.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that allow user equipment (UE) to request and indicate the need for local mobile edge computing services or applications, enabling the network to respond with capabilities and limitations, allowing the UE to attach to the network with specific service access restrictions, such as limiting traffic to only mobile edge computing services or core network services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a UE enters Data-Off state to limit data traffic and reduce roaming costs, then energy consumption and roaming costs are reduced, but local mobile edge computing services become unavailable to the UE
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between Data-Off state and Data-On state based on service requirements. The UE can activate data services temporarily when local MEC services are needed, then return to Data-Off state, allowing flexible adaptation between energy saving and service availability modes
Solution Approach 2:
The network performs preliminary actions by establishing service authorization and configuration before the UE needs services. The network can pre-configure access rights to local MEC services and prepare data sessions in advance, so when UE activates data mode, services are immediately available without full network re-establishment
2Adaptability or versatility
If a UE activates data services to access local mobile edge computing services, then service availability is improved, but roaming costs and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements local quality by providing services locally through MEC servers at the network edge, reducing the need for long-distance data transmission to core network services. This allows UE to access services with lower energy consumption and potentially lower roaming costs compared to core network services
Solution Approach 2:
The network provides feedback to the UE about available local services, service conditions, and cost information. Based on this feedback, the UE can make informed decisions about when to activate data services, optimizing the balance between service availability and energy consumption
3Adaptability or versatility
If the network provides full service access to all UEs, then service versatility is maximized, but access control and cost management become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments service access into different levels: local MEC services and core network services. Different authorization mechanisms are applied to each segment, with local services having simplified access control for authorized UEs, while core network services maintain standard access control. This segmentation reduces overall access control complexity while maintaining service versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The network introduces an intermediary authorization mechanism that mediates between UE service requests and service delivery. This intermediary layer handles access control decisions, service authorization, and cost management, simplifying the overall system by centralizing complex control functions rather than distributing them throughout the network
Data Source
AI summary
Various communication services may benefit from access controls. For example, certain wireless communication systems may benefit from access control to services in a network, such as access to services at mobile edge as distinct from core network services. A method can include initiating an attachment to a network. The method can also include indicating, while initiating the attachment, at least one user equipment request with respect to local mobile edge computing services or mobile edge computing applications.