eNB Signaling Reduction for M2M Small Data Transfers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication networks face high CPU processing demands and increased costs due to high signaling loads, particularly when M2M communication devices in ECM-IDLE mode require frequent data transfers, leading to poor performance and high CAPEX.

Innovation Solution

The method involves reducing network signaling by allowing the eNB to establish a radio access bearer directly with the SGW, omitting S11 signaling between the MME and SGW, and using a smart user plane method where the eNB encapsulates a TEID-U in data packets, thereby reducing the need for modify bearer requests and minimizing network control plane load.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional service request procedure is used with MME and SGW signaling exchange, then connection establishment is achieved, but high signaling load and CPU processing demands occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection establishmentVSAvoidsignaling load

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the MME from the service request signaling path for small data transfers. The eNB directly establishes RAB with the SGW by omitting the S11 interface signaling between MME and SGW, thereby reducing the signaling load and CPU processing demands while maintaining connection establishment capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If frequent service requests are handled through complete signaling path, then data transfer is enabled, but network performance deteriorates due to high processing load

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer capabilityVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes the RAB between eNB and SGW in advance or maintains it in a ready state, allowing small data transfers to occur without initiating complete service request signaling procedures. This preliminary setup enables faster data transfer while reducing the processing time required for frequent service requests.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If standard bearer modification procedure is used, then network resources are managed, but extensive signaling to SGW increases CAPEX

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource managementVSAvoidnetwork cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the unnecessary bearer modification signaling between MME and SGW for small data transfers. By allowing the eNB to directly manage RAB establishment with the SGW without MME intervention, the system maintains resource management capability while eliminating extensive signaling that would increase network CAPEX.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS9363835B2Methods and nodes for improved network signaling

Publication Date: 2016.06.07 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

The disclosure relates to methods and nodes for reducing the signaling load in a communications network. One claim of the disclosure relates to a method in a first network node for handling of service requests. The method comprises the steps of: generating a service request message, transmitting the service request message to a second network node, establishing a radio access bearer, RAB, to the second network node, and transmitting uplink data via said RAB to the second network node.