LTE Network Resource Allocation for MTC Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the context of 3GPP M2M communication, the establishment of PDN connections for a large number of MTC terminals in LTE networks results in a significant waste of network resources due to small data transmission, as existing methods allocate user plane resources even when they are not needed, leading to resource inefficiency and potential network congestion.
Innovation Solution
The method involves determining if a user equipment has the characteristic of small data transmission and allocating no user plane resource during the network attachment procedure, with the Packet Data Gateway (PGW) and evolved Node B (eNB) instructed to allocate null resources, thereby skipping the establishment of PDN connections and conserving user plane resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If PDN connection is established for MTC terminals in LTE network, then user equipment can access network and communicate, but user plane resources are occupied and wasted due to small data transmission characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the unnecessary user plane resource allocation from the PDN connection establishment process for MTC terminals. By identifying that MTC terminals only require small data transmission via signaling plane, the solution removes the user plane resource allocation step, thereby eliminating resource waste while maintaining network access capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by allowing MTC terminals to access the network without establishing a full PDN connection with user plane resources. Instead of following the conventional path of attaching and allocating resources, the solution reverses the process by attaching terminals but explicitly preventing user plane resource allocation, thereby solving the resource waste problem.
2Adaptability or versatility
If PDN connection is established for large number of MTC terminals, then network coverage is provided, but network resources are wasted leading to potential congestion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the unnecessary user plane resource allocation from the network infrastructure. By removing this resource consumption element while maintaining network attachment capability, the system can support a larger number of MTC terminals without proportionally increasing resource usage, thereby preventing network congestion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the resource allocation parameter from 'full user plane resources' to 'null or minimal resources' for MTC terminals. This parameter change allows the network to maintain coverage for numerous terminals while dramatically reducing the quantity of resources consumed per terminal, thus avoiding congestion.
3Ease of operation
If user plane resources are allocated to MTC terminals with small data transmission, then connection is established, but resources are not utilized efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the inefficient user plane resource allocation from the connection establishment process for MTC terminals. By extracting this unnecessary resource allocation step, the system maintains ease of connection establishment while eliminating the productivity loss associated with unused resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by allocating only the minimal necessary resources (signaling plane resources) rather than the full user plane resources. This partial allocation is sufficient for MTC terminals' small data transmission needs while avoiding the excessive resource consumption that would reduce overall system productivity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application provides a method and a device for saving network resources, wherein the method particularly includes: determining that a user equipment has the property of small data amount transfer; and during network attachment, allocating no user plane resources to the user equipment which has the property of small data amount transfer. The present application is used to save network resources in an LTE system during M2M communication.