LTE-M Access Restriction Mechanism for Network Policy Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless networks lack a mechanism to separately restrict the usage of LTE-M and WB-E-UTRAN radio access technologies, leading to improper billing and policy control when CAT-M subscriptions are used with incorrect devices.
Innovation Solution
Implement a method at a first access management entity to determine if a user equipment is using LTE-M RAT, obtain access restriction or RAT restriction data indicating if LTE-M is restricted, and decide whether the UE is allowed to attach or register to the network based on this data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate restriction mechanisms for LTE-M and WB-E-UTRAN are implemented, then billing and policy control accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the access restriction mechanism by introducing separate restriction indicators for LTE-M and WB-E-UTRAN. The access restriction data structure is divided into multiple indicator fields, where each field independently controls access to a specific RAT type. This segmentation enables precise billing and policy control for different subscription types while maintaining manageable complexity through structured data organization.
2Adaptability or versatility
If access restriction data structure is extended to support separate LTE-M and WB-E-UTRAN control, then policy control flexibility is improved, but data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different control characteristics for different RAT types within the same access restriction data structure. Each RAT type indicator has specific control properties tailored to its requirements, allowing flexible policy control for LTE-M and WB-E-UTRAN separately while maintaining a unified data structure that manages processing complexity through standardized fields.
3Device complexity
If existing access restriction mechanisms are used without LTE-M specific support, then device complexity is maintained low, but billing accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing an access restriction data structure that can handle multiple RAT types (LTE-M, WB-E-UTRAN, and other future RATs) through a unified set of indicator fields. This multi-functional structure maintains compatibility with existing mechanisms while enabling accurate billing and policy control for LTE-M subscriptions, avoiding the need for completely separate handling mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide method and apparatus for access or RAT restriction. A method at a first access management entity of a network comprises determining that a user equipment (UE) is using LTE-M radio access technology (RAT). The method further comprises obtaining access restriction or RAT restriction data associated with the UE, wherein the access restriction or RAT restriction data indicates that LTE-M RAT type is restricted. The method further comprises determining whether the UE using LTE-M is allowed to attach or register to the network based on the obtained access restriction or RAT restriction data associated with the UE.