LTE Traffic Control via Intermediary Node and Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
In LTE wireless communication systems, existing technologies lack effective methods to control traffic congestion, particularly in identifying congested cells and managing user equipment (UE) states, leading to potential degradation of Quality of Service (QoS) and inefficient resource allocation.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using control signaling to inform congestion states through user plane messages, determining UE states during handovers, and periodically transmitting UE location information to accurately manage traffic congestion and optimize resource allocation without increasing signaling load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional traffic control methods are used in LTE networks, then network operation is simplified, but traffic congestion cannot be effectively controlled and QoS deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a Traffic Control Function (TCF) as an intermediary entity between the RAN and core network elements. The TCF receives congestion information from the RAN, determines appropriate traffic control policies, and enforces them by interacting with network elements. This intermediary approach enables effective congestion control without requiring complex modifications to existing LTE components, thus maintaining QoS while avoiding excessive system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where congestion information is continuously monitored and reported from the RAN to the TCF. The TCF uses this feedback to dynamically adjust traffic control decisions, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to changing network conditions. This feedback-driven approach enables reliable QoS maintenance by responding to actual congestion states rather than using static control mechanisms
2Productivity
If detailed congestion control is implemented, then traffic management improves, but signaling load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and utilizes existing signaling messages and information elements already present in the LTE protocol stack for congestion control purposes. Rather than introducing entirely new signaling protocols, the solution repurposes existing uplink and downlink messages to carry congestion indicators and control instructions. This extraction approach improves traffic management efficiency while avoiding the overhead of new signaling procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes existing signaling messages multi-functional by enabling them to carry both traditional data and congestion control information. For example, existing uplink messages from UE to network are enhanced to include congestion indication bits, and downlink messages are enhanced to include traffic control commands. This universal usage of existing signaling infrastructure achieves detailed traffic management without proportionally increasing signaling load
3Measurement precision
If UE state information is tracked during handovers, then traffic control accuracy improves, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by maintaining UE state information and congestion context before handover events occur. The TCF pre-processes congestion information and prepares traffic control policies in advance, so that when handover occurs, the necessary state information is already available. This preliminary preparation improves measurement precision for UE state identification during handovers without adding significant processing complexity at the critical handover moment
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a method for transmitting traffic control information by an Evolved Node B, ENB, in a wireless communication system. The method includes transmitting congestion state information to a traffic control node. The congestion state information is used to control traffic for a User Equipment (UE) being served by the ENB. And, the congestion state information includes information about a congestion state of the ENB, and is included in a packet header transmitted from the UE.