Inactivity Timer System for Enterprise Wireless Bearer Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Enterprise wireless communication networks face inefficiencies in resource allocation due to unpredictable user activity patterns and varying service demands, leading to suboptimal utilization of network resources and potential congestion.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an inactivity timer system that monitors packet stream activity to determine when to release or modify bearers based on service type, time of day, and other factors, allowing for more efficient allocation of network resources and proactive congestion management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network resources are allocated to maintain bearers for user equipment, then service availability is improved, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates due to idle bearers during low activity periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic bearer management by introducing inactivity timers that adaptively adjust bearer states based on real-time user activity monitoring. When users are inactive beyond threshold periods, bearers are released to improve resource utilization; when activity resumes, bearers are re-established to maintain service availability. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction between maintaining reliable service and optimizing resource efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of bearers by introducing time-based inactivity thresholds and activity monitoring metrics. By parameterizing bearer maintenance decisions based on user activity patterns rather than static allocation, the system optimizes resource utilization while preserving service availability through conditional re-allocation.
2Productivity
If inactivity timers are implemented to release idle bearers, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases due to monitoring and timer management
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs self-service mechanisms where user equipment autonomously reports its activity status and bearer requirements to the network. This self-reporting approach eliminates the need for complex centralized monitoring of individual user states, reducing system complexity while enabling efficient inactivity-based bearer release decisions that improve resource utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback loops where user activity information is continuously reported back to the network controller, which adjusts bearer allocation accordingly. This feedback mechanism simplifies complexity by using direct user-state reporting rather than indirect monitoring, enabling resource optimization through responsive timer-based bearer management.
3Productivity
If bearers are released during low activity periods, then resource allocation efficiency is improved, but service response time deteriorates when users become active again
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring rapid bearer re-establishment procedures that are triggered immediately upon user activity detection. This preliminary preparation ensures that when users become active again, bearers can be quickly restored without significant service response delays, thus maintaining resource allocation efficiency while minimizing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary anti-action by anticipating user reactivation and pre-preventing service interruption through rapid bearer re-allocation mechanisms. This proactive approach counteracts potential service response time deterioration before it occurs, maintaining both resource efficiency and acceptable service response times.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for managing wireless Enterprise Networks (EN) for greater efficiency by developing inactivity timers for packet streams on bearers, monitoring the packet streams of UEs on the bearers, and if inactivity is found determining whether or not to release or modify a bearer, or maintain the current status of the UE considering factors such as congestion, expected lull time, reconstruction cost, and UE type and location. Accordingly, UEs can be more efficiently allocated the EN's available resources. To learn the timers, packet streams are monitored over a period of time, the packet streams are sorted by service type and bearer (and optionally time), and an inter-burst packet arrival time is determined. Timers are developed that provide inactivity time limits and an expected lull time that predicts the behavior of the packet streams based on service type and bearer, and optionally time.