MME Access Control for UEs with Coverage Enhancement Levels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless telecommunication networks face challenges in managing Mobility Management Entity (MME) overload scenarios, particularly when User Equipments (UEs) operating in enhanced coverage modes increase the burden on MMEs, leading to network congestion.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a mechanism where the MME determines and temporarily bars UEs with specific Coverage Enhancement (CE) levels from connecting to the Radio Access Network (RAN) node, based on measured Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) and CE levels, to manage overload conditions by reducing the number of connections and retransmissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If UEs in poor coverage areas are allowed to perform greater number of retransmissions to ensure successful communication, then communication reliability for UEs in poor coverage is improved, but network congestion and MME overload worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliability for UEs in poor coverageVSAvoidnetwork efficiency and MME load
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the Coverage Enhancement (CE) level based on RSRP measurements. When MME overload is detected, the system changes the CE level parameter to bar UEs with higher CE levels (poorer coverage) from accessing the network, thereby reducing MME load while maintaining communication reliability for UEs with lower CE levels (better coverage)

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If UEs with higher CE levels are permitted to connect to ensure coverage for poor areas, then coverage enhancement is improved, but MME overload increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage enhancement capabilityVSAvoidMME load and network complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamics by making the CE level bar configuration dynamic rather than static. The MME continuously monitors its load and dynamically adjusts which CE levels are barred. When load is high, higher CE levels are barred; when load is low, more CE levels are permitted. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt coverage enhancement capability according to current network conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameter of CE level acceptance based on MME load conditions. By modifying which CE levels are barred (a configurable parameter), the system can control the adaptability of coverage enhancement while managing MME complexity and load

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If access control is implemented to reduce MME overload, then network stability is improved, but communication availability for UEs in poor coverage deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork stabilityVSAvoidcommunication availability for UEs
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by implementing differentiated access control based on UE location and coverage characteristics. Instead of uniform access control for all UEs, the system applies specific barring rules to UEs with higher CE levels (who are typically in poor coverage areas), while allowing UEs with lower CE levels (better coverage) to access normally. This localized approach maintains network stability while preserving communication availability for UEs who can reliably connect

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3643119B1Access control for user equipment with coverage enhancement level support
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 APPLE INC
  • EP3643119B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3643119B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3643119B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The techniques, described herein, may enable a wireless telecommunication network to manage Mobility Management Entity (MME) overload scenarios by causing a Radio Access Network (RAN) node to temporarily bar certain User Equipment (UEs) from connecting to the RAN node. In some embodiments, UEs may be barred from connecting to the RAN node based on which UEs are operating in an enhanced coverage mode, Coverage Enhancement (CE) levels of each UE, and/or a measured Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) of each UE.