Group Defining APN for Flexible Congestion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
APN-based congestion control mechanisms lack flexibility and cannot individually control multiple groups using a common APN, leading to either broader congestion control activation or the deployment of dedicated APNs for each group.
Innovation Solution
Introducing Group Defining APNs (GDAs) that are not used for connectivity but serve as group identifiers for congestion control, allowing management entities to determine terminal group membership and apply congestion control measures based on specific group parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a common APN is used for connectivity across multiple terminal groups, then network configuration is simplified and deployment is easier, but congestion control flexibility is lost and cannot be applied to individual groups
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the APN functionality into two distinct components: connectivity APNs and Group Defining APNs (GDAs). The connectivity APN handles network access while the GDA identifies terminal groups for congestion control purposes. This segmentation allows the network to maintain a common connectivity APN for all terminals while simultaneously enabling group-specific congestion control through separate GDA identifiers, thus resolving the contradiction between configuration simplicity and control flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal GDA mechanism that can be applied across multiple terminal groups without requiring dedicated connectivity APNs for each group. The GDA serves as a multi-functional identifier that enables congestion control differentiation while terminals continue to use a shared connectivity APN for network access. This multi-functionality approach maintains configuration simplicity while providing the needed adaptability for group-specific control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If dedicated APNs are deployed for each terminal group requiring individual congestion control, then congestion control flexibility is improved, but network complexity and deployment requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the congestion control identification function from the connectivity function by introducing GDAs as distinct from connectivity APNs. This segmentation allows terminals to use a single connectivity APN while being assigned GDAs that identify their group membership. The network can then apply congestion control based on GDA matches without requiring separate connectivity APNs for each group, thereby reducing network complexity while maintaining control flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The GDA acts as an intermediary element between terminal identification and congestion control enforcement. Rather than requiring dedicated APNs for each group, the GDA serves as a mediator that links terminals to their respective congestion control groups. The management entity uses the GDA as an intermediate key to determine group membership and apply appropriate congestion control measures, simplifying the overall network architecture.
3Adaptability or versatility
If broader congestion control is activated to cover multiple groups, then individual group control capability is improved, but the impact scope increases and may unnecessarily restrict legitimate traffic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables local quality control by allowing congestion control parameters to be specifically tailored to each terminal group through GDA matching. The management entity can define distinct congestion control policies for different GDAs, applying control measures only to the specific group that triggered the congestion condition. This prevents unnecessary restriction of traffic from other groups that are not experiencing congestion, thereby resolving the contradiction between control capability and harmful side effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by applying congestion control only to the specific terminal group identified by the matching GDA, rather than broadly restricting all traffic. When congestion is detected for a particular GDA, the management entity applies control measures selectively to terminals associated with that GDA, allowing legitimate traffic from other groups to continue unaffected. This partial application of control eliminates unnecessary restrictions while maintaining the ability to control individual groups.
Data Source
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AI summary
This disclosure describes an APN based group congestion control mechanism. The mechanism utilizes a Group Defining APN (GDA) for defining terminal groups. To add a terminal to a particular terminal group, the network operator need only add a GDA to a list of APNs already included in the terminal's subscription data.