M2M Device Application Scheduling for Radio Access Network Congestion

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing number of M2M devices using radio access networks leads to congestion and decreased quality of service for other transmissions, such as speech and Internet traffic, as existing solutions fail to effectively manage the timing of data transmissions to avoid peak usage periods.

Innovation Solution

A radio device equipped with an application scheduling unit that determines a predetermined transmission schedule based on unique parameter values, allowing transmissions only during designated times, thereby distributing the load and optimizing the use of available network capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If M2M devices transmit data freely without scheduling, then device simplicity is maintained, but network congestion occurs during peak usage periods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoidnetwork service quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The network node performs preliminary scheduling of M2M devices before data transmission occurs. The scheduler determines transmission time slots in advance and notifies devices, preventing congestion before it happens while maintaining simple device operation. This resolves the contradiction by proactively managing network resources without complicating device functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If centralized scheduling is implemented to manage network capacity, then network congestion is reduced, but signaling overhead and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork capacity managementVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The scheduling function is segmented and distributed to individual M2M devices rather than being entirely centralized. Each device receives scheduling information tailored to its specific transmission needs, reducing overall signaling overhead while maintaining effective capacity management. This segmentation approach lowers system complexity compared to fully centralized scheduling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

M2M devices autonomously use the scheduling information provided by the network node to determine their own transmission timing. This self-service approach reduces the need for complex centralized control mechanisms and minimizes signaling overhead, as devices independently execute their scheduled transmissions without requiring continuous network intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If transmission timing is distributed evenly across all devices, then network capacity is optimized, but coordination complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork capacity utilizationVSAvoidcoordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple scheduling parameters (time slots, frequency resources, power levels) into a unified scheduling framework managed by the network node. This merging of coordination functions into a single centralized scheduler optimizes network capacity utilization while avoiding the complexity that would arise from distributed coordination among multiple devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The network node receives feedback from M2M devices about their transmission status and network conditions, using this information to dynamically adjust scheduling decisions. This feedback mechanism enables optimized capacity utilization through adaptive scheduling while keeping coordination complexity manageable by centralizing the decision-making process at the network node.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2810459B1Distributed initialization of m2m access to radio access network
Publication Date: 2019.04.24 GEMALTO M2M GMBH
  • EP2810459B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2810459B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2810459B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c

AI summary

A radio device, comprising an application scheduling unit, which is configured to initiate a transmission of application output data in communication with a radio access network in accordance with a predetermined application transmission schedule determining at least one allowed time, which is a time span or a point in time and defined in terms of a week, a day or a time of day, for the communication of the application output data, wherein the allowed time depends on a parameter value of a set of at least one parameter that is allocated to the radio device and that is suitable for distinguishing the radio device from at least one other radio device of a group of radio devices to which the radio device belongs, and comprising a communication unit, which is configured to transmit the application output data in communication with the radio access network in the form of radio signals and at a time that is in accordance with the predetermined transmission schedule.