Group-Based M2M Communication Method for Signaling Overhead Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, the rapid increase in the number of devices can lead to significant signaling overhead and collision issues in the air interface between M2M devices and the base station, necessitating an efficient communication method to manage this load.
Innovation Solution
A group-based M2M communication method where a group head is selected among M2M devices, allowing it to represent the group and communicate with the base station, thereby reducing the load by minimizing overhead through the collection and reporting of signals from individual devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all M2M devices communicate directly with the base station, then each device can maintain independent communication, but the signaling overhead and collision in the air interface increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the M2M network into multiple groups, each with a designated group head. Instead of all devices communicating directly with the base station, devices are divided into groups that share a common representative (group head), thereby segmenting the communication load and reducing overall signaling overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The group head acts as an intermediary between the base station and other M2M devices in the group. The group head collects data from member devices and communicates with the base station on their behalf, eliminating the need for each device to establish direct communication with the base station and thereby reducing air interface overhead.
2Productivity
If all M2M devices communicate directly with the base station, then each device can transmit data independently, but collision in the air interface increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting devices into groups with designated group heads, the patent reduces the number of simultaneous transmissions on the air interface. Only group heads communicate with the base station, thereby segmenting the communication channels and reducing collision probability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple devices into a single group represented by one group head. Multiple devices share a common communication channel through their group head, combining their communication needs into fewer transmissions and thereby reducing air interface collisions.
3Loss of energy
If a group head is selected to represent the M2M device group, then the radio interface load is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to group management procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The group head is selected autonomously from among the M2M devices based on predefined criteria (signal quality, battery status, location). The selected device automatically assumes the group head role without requiring complex external management, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reduced radio interface load.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses changes in device parameters (signal quality, battery status, location) to dynamically determine group head selection. By basing the selection on measurable parameters rather than complex management procedures, the system reduces radio interface load while keeping the selection mechanism relatively simple.
Data Source
AI summary
A specific M2M communication device according to the present invention is grouped with other M2M communication devices, and performs communication with a base station as a representative of the group. To this end, at least one of location information, battery information and signal quality information of a corresponding M2M communication device is provided to a base station during the initial network entry with the base station. On the basis of this, the base station then provides a message announcing that the specific M2M communication device has been selected as a representative of the group (also called a ‘group head’), together with a group ID and a group head ID. Accordingly, the M2M communication device thus selected as the representative of the group is able to perform the transmission of uplink and/or downlink signals with the base station, while representing the group.