Selective EPS Bearer Activation for Small Data Efficiency

Solution Overview

Problem

Current 3GPP standards are inefficient in managing resources for small data communication, leading to wasteful activation of EPS bearers in both the UE and network elements, especially in machine-to-machine (M2M) communication scenarios where small amounts of data are transmitted infrequently.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that allows for targeted service requests, enabling selective activation of specific EPS bearers for small data communication, distinguishing between default and dedicated bearers, and managing their status actively to optimize resource usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If all EPS bearers are activated in UE and network elements, then small data communication can be supported, but resource consumption increases and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesmall data communication supportVSAvoidresource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the EPS bearers into two distinct types: default EPS bearers for general communication and dedicated EPS bearers for small data communication. This segmentation allows the system to activate only the necessary bearer type based on communication requirements, avoiding the waste of activating all bearers simultaneously. The Network Element maintains separate tracking of default and dedicated bearer statuses, enabling selective activation that reduces resource consumption while maintaining small data communication capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If all EPS bearers are activated in UE and network elements, then small data communication can be supported, but memory and processor resources are wasted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesmall data communication supportVSAvoidmemory and processor resources

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the EPS bearers into two distinct types: default EPS bearers for general communication and dedicated EPS bearers for small data communication. This segmentation allows the system to activate only the necessary bearer type based on communication requirements, avoiding the waste of activating all bearers simultaneously. The Network Element maintains separate tracking of default and dedicated bearer statuses, enabling selective activation that reduces resource consumption while maintaining small data communication capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Loss of energy

If selective activation of EPS bearers is implemented, then resource efficiency improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource efficiencyVSAvoidbearer management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the EPS bearers into two distinct types: default EPS bearers for general communication and dedicated EPS bearers for small data communication. This segmentation allows the system to activate only the necessary bearer type based on communication requirements, avoiding the waste of activating all bearers simultaneously. The Network Element maintains separate tracking of default and dedicated bearer statuses, enabling selective activation that reduces resource consumption while maintaining small data communication capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new parameter dimension to bearer management by distinguishing between default and dedicated bearers. The Network Element tracks bearer activation status using this enhanced parameter differentiation, which allows for more granular control over resource allocation. This parameter change enables the system to respond dynamically to different communication scenarios, activating only the appropriate bearer type while maintaining manageable system complexity through structured state tracking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9692567B1Targeted service request for small data communication in a network environment

Publication Date: 2017.06.27 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

An example method for targeted service request for small data communication in a network environment is provided and includes receiving an extended service request indicating an evolved packet system (EPS) bearer identity for small data communication over a packet data network connection including one or more EPS bearers, where the one or more EPS bearers includes at least one small data bearer configured for small data communication, selectively activating the small data bearer, and facilitating the small data communication. In specific embodiments, the one or more EPS bearers includes a default EPS bearer and one or more dedicated EPS bearers, where the small data bearer is the default EPS bearer. In other embodiments, the one or more EPS bearers includes a default EPS bearer and one or more dedicated EPS bearers, where the small data bearer is one of the dedicated EPS bearers.