Group Bearer Management for MTC Device Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3GPP LTE networks face congestion and resource inefficiencies when managing large numbers of Machine Type Communication (MTC) devices, particularly due to the need for individual radio and S1 bearers to be re-established for each device, leading to excessive signaling and network resource utilization during simultaneous connections or data transmissions.
Innovation Solution
The method involves providing connection information from a first device to a second device within a group, allowing the second device to connect to the radio access network using the established connection parameters, thereby reducing the need for repeated bearer setups and signaling processes, and introducing a virtual device to manage and share radio bearers across devices, with a Master Device assisting others in maintaining connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If individual radio and S1 bearers are re-established for each MTC device during simultaneous connections or data transmissions, then each device can maintain independent connectivity, but network congestion and resource inefficiency occur due to excessive signaling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual device connections into a single group connection. A group radio bearer and group S1 bearer are established to serve multiple MTC devices simultaneously, consolidating what would otherwise be separate bearers for each device. This merging reduces the total number of bearers and signaling messages required, directly addressing the network congestion problem while maintaining connectivity for all group members.
Solution Approach 2:
The group bearer structure serves multiple functions: it provides connectivity for all MTC devices in the group simultaneously, handles data transmission for multiple devices through a single bearer, and reduces signaling overhead. The universal group bearer replaces the need for individual bearers, making the system more efficient while maintaining the reliability of device connectivity.
2Ease of operation
If radio and S1 bearers are re-established for each device moving from ECM_IDLE to ECM_CONNECTED state, then individual device connectivity is ensured, but signaling overhead and network resource utilization increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the connection management of multiple devices into a single group-level operation. When devices transition from ECM_IDLE to ECM_CONNECTED state, the group bearer is established once for all devices rather than individually for each device. This merging approach maintains ease of operation for device connection management while dramatically reducing the signaling overhead that would result from individual bearer setups.
Solution Approach 2:
The group bearer is established in advance for all MTC devices before individual data transmissions occur. This preliminary action of creating a shared bearer structure eliminates the need for repeated bearer setup signaling when devices need to transmit data, reducing signaling overhead while ensuring connectivity is readily available when needed.
3Productivity
If connection information is shared among devices in a group, then bearer re-establishment procedures are reduced, but device security and connection management complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a group context as an intermediary layer between individual devices and the network. This group context manages the shared bearers and connection information for all devices in the group, reducing the complexity burden on individual devices. The intermediary group structure handles bearer setup and management centrally, improving efficiency while maintaining manageable complexity through clear separation of concerns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments connection management into two distinct layers: individual device contexts and group contexts. This segmentation allows devices to maintain simple individual identities while the group context handles the complex bearer sharing and connection management. The segmentation reduces device complexity by offloading management responsibilities to the group level while improving bearer setup efficiency through shared resources.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for providing device connectivity to a radio access network, wherein at least two devices are connectable or connected to the radio access network and wherein the at least two devices are members of a group of devices within a wireless local network, the members of the group of devices having the capability to establish a direct connection with other members of the group of devices, includes providing connection information used for a connection between a first device of the at least two devices and the radio access network to a second device of the at least two devices. The connection information enables the second device to connect to the radio access network.