Group PDN for MTC Devices on Cellular Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network resource allocation and management systems are inadequate to support the growing number of machine-type communication (MTC) devices in a cost-effective manner, particularly due to the infrequent and small-data nature of MTC communications, leading to underutilization of packet data network (PDN) resources in advanced wireless networks.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a group packet data network (PDN) that allows multiple MTC devices to share resources such as session timers, quality of service (QoS), and services, creating a group profile to support simultaneous communications, rather than allocating dedicated resources for each device, and dynamically adjusting bandwidth based on device attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated PDN resources are allocated for each MTC device, then each device can maintain consistent quality of service, but network resource utilization deteriorates due to underutilization from infrequent and small-data communications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple MTC devices into a single group PDN connection, merging their resource requirements. Instead of allocating separate PDN resources to each device, the system creates one shared PDN connection that serves multiple devices, thereby improving resource utilization while maintaining QoS through group-level management
2Loss of energy
If group PDN resources are shared among multiple MTC devices, then network resource utilization improves, but device complexity increases due to resource sharing coordination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway or network element as an intermediary that manages the group PDN resources. This intermediary handles the complexity of resource sharing, allocation, and coordination among multiple devices, thereby reducing the burden on individual devices while enabling efficient group-level resource management
3Ease of operation
If dedicated PDN connections are established for each MTC device, then signaling overhead is reduced for individual devices, but total signaling among core network elements increases due to individual device management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the signaling management for multiple MTC devices into a single group PDN signaling flow. Instead of each device generating separate signaling messages to core network elements, the group PDN structure consolidates these signaling interactions, reducing the total quantity of signaling messages while maintaining individual device connectivity and control
Data Source
AI summary
Systems described herein use a group packet data network (PDN) to support communications from machine-type communications (MTC) devices on wireless networks. The systems assign a MTC device to a group with a group identifier, the group associating the MTC device, and other MTC devices, with a customer network; receive an attach request from the MTC device; retrieve the group identifier for the MTC device; configure a bearer path between the MTC device and the customer network based on the group identifier, the bearer path including a group PDN that transports data packets from the MTC device, and the other MTC devices, between a serving gateway (SGW) and a PDN gateway (PGW); and send data packets from the MTC device over the group PDN.