M2M Application Server Gateway for RAN Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communications through Radio Access Networks (RAN) are inadequate, particularly for mobile M2M applications, as they do not effectively manage the interactions and identifications required for efficient communication between M2M service devices and application servers.

Innovation Solution

A machine-to-machine application server and service device configuration that utilizes distinct identifiers for service and transport layers, allowing direct or indirect communication through the RAN, with M2M service devices and transport devices using separate or integrated identifiers to access the application server, enabling flexible communication paths and authentication mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If service devices connect directly to the Radio Access Network, then communication simplicity is improved, but network capacity is exceeded and reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication simplicityVSAvoidnetwork capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a gateway as an intermediary component between service devices and the Radio Access Network. The gateway receives service information from multiple service devices, aggregates it, and forwards it to the RAN, thereby reducing the number of direct connections needed while maintaining communication simplicity for individual devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the network architecture into distinct functional components: service devices, gateway, and Radio Access Network. This segmentation allows the gateway to handle aggregation and management functions separately from the RAN, improving overall network reliability and capacity management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a nested architecture with transport devices is implemented, then network capacity is preserved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork capacityVSAvoidarchitecture complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway is designed as a universal component that can handle multiple functions: receiving service information from various service devices, aggregating data, managing transport to the RAN, and supporting both direct and indirect access modes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple specialized components, simplifying the overall architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If distinct identifiers are used for service and transport layers, then authentication reliability is improved, but information processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication reliabilityVSAvoididentifier management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the identification system into two distinct layers: service information identifiers and transport information identifiers. This segmentation allows each identifier type to serve its specific function independently, improving authentication reliability by ensuring that service-level and transport-level security requirements are met separately without interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2638685B1Methods of operating networks, application servers, and wireless devices supporting machine-to-machine applications
Publication Date: 2020.12.23 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP2638685B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2638685B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2638685B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A machine-to-machine application server may provide a machine-to-machine application, A machine-to-machine application identification from a machine-to-machine service device may be provided at the machine-to-machine application server. The machine-to-machine application identification may identify a machine-to-machine application provided by the machine-to-machine application server, and the machine- to-machine application identification may identify a communication path between the wireless device and the machine-to-machine application server. Service may be provided according to the machine-to-machine application from the machine-to- machine application server to the machine-to-machine service device using the machine-to-machine application identification to identify the communications path between the machine-to-machine application server and the machine-to-machine service device.