Operator-Specific Access Class Barring for LTE Network Sharing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current restriction control mechanisms in LTE networks do not allow for prioritization of voice and IMS packets, and fail to adapt to network sharing environments where multiple operators share radio access and core networks, leading to inefficient resource management and congestion issues.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of Smart Congestion Mitigation (SCM) techniques, where a mobile station receives SCM parameters indicating types of calls exempt from Access Class Barring (ACB), allowing for dynamic restriction control based on call types and operator-specific or shared network policies, enabling independent or common restriction control across multiple operators in network sharing environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If common ACB parameters are applied to all operators in network sharing environments, then resource management is simplified, but operators cannot independently manage their resources and prioritize their traffic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverestriction control management complexityVSAvoidoperator-specific resource management flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the ACB parameters into operator-specific sets, allowing each operator to have independent restriction control parameters. The mobile station receives and applies the ACB parameter set corresponding to its registered operator, enabling differentiated resource management while maintaining overall system coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If all data packets are subject to ACB restriction control, then congestion is reduced, but critical packets such as voice and IMS packets cannot be prioritized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecongestion control efficiencyVSAvoidcritical service quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies different ACB restriction levels to different packet types through operator-specific ACB parameter sets. Operators can configure their parameter sets to apply stricter restrictions to non-critical packets while exempting or applying lighter restrictions to critical packets like voice and IMS, thereby achieving local optimization of packet treatment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If ACB parameters are not defined per PLMN, then broadcasted parameters can be common for all PLMNs simplifying transmission, but network sharing environments cannot implement operator-specific restriction policies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebroadcast parameter transmission simplicityVSAvoidper-operator restriction control capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces dynamic selection of ACB parameter sets based on the mobile station's registered operator. While multiple operator-specific ACB parameter sets are broadcasted (increasing broadcast content), the mobile station dynamically selects and applies the appropriate set based on its operator identification, achieving operator-specific control without requiring separate broadcast channels for each operator.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3179777B1Mobile station, base station, restriction control method, and broadcast-information transmission method
Publication Date: 2019.05.22 NTT DOCOMO INC
  • EP3179777B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3179777B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3179777B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A mobile station for receiving broadcast information for restriction control from a base station in a network environment shared by a plurality of operators includes a reception unit configured to receive from the base station the broadcast information including restriction control skip information indicating a type of a call which is not subject to restriction control; and a restriction control determination unit configured to identify restriction control skip information corresponding to an operator with which the mobile station registers from the received broadcast information and determine whether to apply the restriction control.