Gateway Discovery for Machine-Type Communication Terminals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Machine-type communication devices (MTCs) face challenges in reliably and efficiently establishing connections with wireless gateways due to their limited processing power and non-continuous radio connections, especially when the gateway and MTCs are mobile, leading to difficulties in data transfer and service access.

Innovation Solution

The method involves proactive and reactive gateway discovery mechanisms, where MTCs and gateways use beacon signals based on geo-positioning, cell identifiers, and radio frequency fingerprints to establish connections before or during data transmission, allowing for ad-hoc connections and authentication, enabling access to networks and services.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If MTCs continuously monitor for gateway connections, then connection reliability improves, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic gateway discovery where MTCs transmit discovery signals at defined intervals rather than continuously monitoring. The gateway transmits discovery signals periodically, and MTCs wake up at specific times to listen for these signals, creating a periodic detection pattern that reduces power consumption while maintaining connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The gateway autonomously monitors for MTC discovery signals and initiates connection establishment without requiring continuous active monitoring from MTCs. The gateway serves itself by maintaining the discovery signal transmission and handling connection setup, allowing MTCs to remain in low-power states longer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If MTCs establish connections proactively before data transmission, then data transfer efficiency improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transfer efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system establishes MTC-to-gateway connections proactively before actual data transmission occurs. The gateway discovers MTCs using periodic signals, authenticates them, and sets up connections in advance, so that when data needs to be transmitted, the connection is already ready, improving data transfer efficiency without requiring complex real-time connection management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If gateway discovery uses multiple identification methods, then discovery accuracy improves, but processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediscovery accuracyVSAvoidprocessing power
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway discovery process is segmented into multiple stages using different identification methods. First, MTCs are detected using simple periodic discovery signals. Then, additional identification using cell identifiers, radio frequency fingerprints, or geo-positioning information is applied only to confirmed detections. This segmentation allows accurate discovery while minimizing processing requirements by applying complex identification methods only when necessary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3231203B1Terminal discovery at a gateway node
Publication Date: 2021.07.21 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP3231203B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3231203B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3231203B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In some example embodiments, there is provided a method. The method may include determining whether a communication terminal is within range of a wireless gateway to enable connection establishment between the wireless gateway and the communication terminal; and establishing at least one connection between the wireless gateway and the communication terminal, when the communication terminal is determined to be within range. Related systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are also described.