LTE Access Class Assignment for Priority-Based Network Barring

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Solution Overview

Problem

LTE wireless communication systems face reduced network throughput and inefficient priority management during high user density events, as existing solutions like the barring factor feature apply random barring without considering actual user priority.

Innovation Solution

An LTE wireless communication system with a private LTE base station and a commercial carrier LTE base station, where mobile devices store assigned access class values based on priority and determine connectivity using these values and barring rates from respective base stations, allowing for prioritized access and adaptive barring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the barring factor feature is used to manage high user density, then network overload is reduced, but user priority is not considered leading to unfair access

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork throughputVSAvoidpriority management
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different access classes (0-15) to different user groups, where each class has specific barring characteristics. High-priority users (classes 11-15) receive preferential treatment with lower barring rates or exempt status, while regular users (classes 0-10) subject to standard barring. This local differentiation of access rights based on user priority resolves the contradiction by maintaining network throughput control while ensuring fair priority-based access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of access class assignment from random selection to priority-based assignment. By modifying how access classes are distributed (based on user priority, service type, or network conditions), the system can dynamically adjust barring behavior to balance network load management with fair priority handling, thus resolving the contradiction between throughput control and priority management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If random barring is applied to all users, then network load is controlled, but high-priority users cannot guarantee reliable connection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork load managementVSAvoidconnection reliability for high-priority users
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates different access conditions for different user classes. High-priority users (access classes 11-15) are granted local quality improvements such as lower barring rates, extended barring periods, or exempt status from barring entirely. This ensures their connection reliability is maintained even when network load management requires throttling of regular users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements beforehand cushioning by pre-assigning protected access classes to high-priority users before network congestion occurs. These users have pre-configured barring parameters that cushion them from the full impact of load management measures, ensuring their connections remain reliable even under heavy network load conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of operation

If access classes 11-15 are reserved for special users, then priority service is provided, but regular user access control is weakened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepriority service provisioningVSAvoidoverall network access control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the user population into distinct access classes (0-15), with classes 11-15 reserved for high-priority users and classes 0-10 for regular users. This segmentation allows independent control policies for each group: priority users receive guaranteed access while regular users subject to standard barring control. The segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling differentiated access control that simultaneously protects priority services and maintains overall network management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2777327B1Wireless communication system having assigned access classes and related methods
Publication Date: 2020.08.12 HARRIS CORP
  • EP2777327B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2777327B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2777327B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A wireless communication system includes a private LTE base station, a commercial carrier LTE base station, and a mobile wireless communications device. The mobile wireless communications device includes an LTE transceiver, a memory, and a controller coupled to the LTE transceiver and the memory. The controller stores an assigned AC value in the memory based upon a priority of use characteristic value, stores a random AC value in the memory, and determines whether access is available to the private LTE base station or the commercial carrier LTE base station. When the private LTE base station is available for access, a connection is made based upon the assigned AC value and a private LTE barring value received from the private LTE base station. When the commercial carrier LTE base station is available for access, a connection is made based upon the random AC value and a commercial carrier barring value.