Two-Phase Random Access Protocol for M2M Resource Contention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional M2M networks face inefficiencies in resource allocation and management due to high overhead in scheduling and resource reservation, particularly in cellular networks, leading to congestion and access delays as the number of machine-to-machine (M2M) terminals increases, especially for urgent traffic like vehicle-to-infrastructure notifications.
Innovation Solution
A two-phase random access protocol where contention resources are mapped to data resources a priori, allowing the base station to adjust the number and duration of contention and data periods based on network load, enabling efficient reassignment of unused resources and reducing control traffic, thereby enhancing network efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If dedicated gateway with custom MAC protocols is used for M2M access, then resource management is possible, but overhead is too high and access delays increase as UEs proliferate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the resource allocation process into two distinct phases: contention phase (for resource reservation requests) and data phase (for actual data transmission). This segmentation allows UEs to efficiently reserve resources without requiring continuous scheduling overhead, reducing control traffic while maintaining resource management capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary resource reservation in the contention phase before actual data transmission. UEs can reserve resources in advance by transmitting reservation requests during contention opportunities, allowing the system to prepare resource allocations beforehand and reduce access delays during urgent transmissions.
2Ease of operation
If scheduling or resource reservation is implemented in cellular networks, then resource allocation is possible, but the process takes too long for urgent M2M traffic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic contention opportunities at predetermined intervals where UEs can submit resource reservation requests. This periodic structure allows urgent M2M traffic to quickly utilize pre-configured contention opportunities without waiting for scheduled allocation cycles, significantly reducing access delays while maintaining systematic resource management.
3Device complexity
If random access protocol is used, then overhead is reduced, but it does not scale well as network sizes increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the base station monitors contention phase outcomes and adjusts resource allocations accordingly. This feedback enables the system to scale efficiently by adapting resource distribution based on network conditions and UE behavior patterns, maintaining low overhead while supporting growing network sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic resource allocation where the number and timing of contention opportunities can be adjusted based on network load and UE activity patterns. This dynamic approach allows the system to scale from small to large networks by optimizing contention resource distribution, maintaining efficiency while supporting network growth.
4Reliability
If permanently allocated resources are assigned to UEs, then transmission readiness is ensured, but resource utilization efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables UEs to self-manage resource reservations by autonomously selecting contention resources and submitting reservation requests during contention phases. This self-service approach ensures UEs have reliable access to reserved resources when needed while improving overall resource utilization, as resources are dynamically allocated based on actual UE needs rather than permanent assignments.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
In a wireless (e.g., machine-to-machine) network, items of user equipment compete for wireless communication resource slots ("resources"). In a contention period, an item of user equipment (a UE) sends a first signal to a base station using a first resource. The first resource is mapped to a second resource in a data transmission period. If the base station successfully receives the first signal, it sends a second signal to the UE to confirm that the UE has been awarded the second resource and can transmit data in the data transmission period.