Implicit PDN Connection for IoT NAS Overhead Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3GPP wireless communication systems face challenges in minimizing the complexity and overhead of Non-Access Stratum (NAS) protocol stacks in low-bitrate Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices, which consume excessive radio resources and power due to large NAS messages and unnecessary signaling.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an implicit PDN connection establishment mechanism using default parameters in the serving node, reducing the need for explicit NAS session management and minimizing NAS messages, allowing only a single PDN connection to be established on demand, thereby reducing the NAS stack size and signaling overhead in IoT devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the NAS protocol stack is used for CIoT devices, then network connectivity and service establishment are enabled, but the device complexity, memory size, and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes unnecessary NAS protocol elements and signaling messages from the CIoT device implementation. Specifically, it eliminates the need for devices to send PDN Connectivity Requests and process complex session management procedures, keeping only the essential attach functionality. This extraction reduces the NAS stack footprint while maintaining core network connectivity capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the traditional NAS protocol functionality into two parts: essential functions that CIoT devices must perform (attach request/response) and non-essential functions that are handled entirely by the network side (PDN connection establishment, session management). This segmentation allows devices to implement a minimal NAS stack while the network compensates for the removed functionality.
2Reliability
If traditional PDN connection establishment procedures are used, then full network connectivity is achieved, but radio resource consumption and signaling overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring default PDN connection parameters on the network side during device attachment. Instead of requiring the device to negotiate and establish PDN connections through multiple signaling exchanges, the network proactively establishes the connection using default parameters, eliminating the need for subsequent PDN connectivity requests and reducing both signaling overhead and device power consumption.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple PDN connections are supported, then network versatility and service options increase, but device complexity and memory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the network side to automatically manage and establish multiple PDN connections without requiring device involvement in the connection establishment process. The device simply attaches to the network, and the network autonomously creates appropriate PDN connections based on device profile, subscription data, and network policies, thereby providing versatility without increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are directed to establishing only a single PDN connection for a CIoT device using, for example, minimum NAS signaling and default parameters in the serving node. Thus, the existing session management signaling from the CIoT device may be eliminated, and instead the core serving node may establish a single PDN connection or PDP context based on default values, subscription information, and other information locally available in the serving node or available in the network when the CIoT device attaches to the network.