MME Throttling Control Plane Data Rate for IoT

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Solution Overview

Problem

The transmission of data in the control plane for cellular IoT devices interferes with control signaling, leading to potential adverse effects on radio resources and inefficient system performance due to uncontrolled data rates.

Innovation Solution

Implementing throttling mechanisms at the MME node to control the data rate of both uplink and downlink data by using throttling factors and delays to manage congestion, ensuring that UEs and SCEF nodes adjust their data transmission according to network demands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If data is transmitted in the control plane for cellular IoT devices, then data transmission capability is improved, but interference with control signaling increases and system efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission capabilityVSAvoidsystem efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the data rate parameters (maximum bit rate, aggregated maximum bit rate, UE aggregated maximum bit rate, UE control plane aggregated maximum bit rate) for data transmitted in the control plane. The network node monitors control signaling load and modifies these rate parameters in response to congestion conditions, thereby balancing data transmission capability with control signaling efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Speed

If data rate for UL data is increased in the control plane, then data transmission speed is improved, but interference with control signaling increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission speedVSAvoidinterference with control signaling
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the network node monitors the load on control signaling and provides feedback to UE(s) through rate parameter adjustments. When control signaling congestion is detected, the network node reduces the allowed data rates for UL data in control plane messages, creating a feedback loop that automatically balances data transmission speed with control signaling quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Speed

If data rate for DL data is increased in the control plane, then data transmission speed is improved, but interference with control signaling increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission speedVSAvoidinterference with control signaling
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies feedback control for DL data by having the network node monitor control signaling load and dynamically adjust the data rate parameters for DL data transmitted in control plane messages. When congestion is detected, the network node reduces DL data rates, ensuring control signaling receives sufficient resources while maintaining optimal data transmission speed when resources are available.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Object-affected harmful factors

If throttling mechanisms are implemented to control data rate, then interference with control signaling is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference with control signalingVSAvoidthrottling mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces the network node as an intermediary that centralizes the throttling control functionality. Instead of implementing complex throttling mechanisms in each UE or distributed across multiple nodes, the network node acts as a mediator that monitors control signaling load and uniformly applies rate parameter adjustments to all UE(s), thereby reducing overall system complexity while effectively managing interference with control signaling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4120600B1System, methods, and apparatuses for managing data rate for control plane optimization
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP4120600B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4120600B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4120600B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In one aspect, an MME throttles (or otherwise controls) the amount or frequency of UL data that a UE transmits in the control plane, such as by communicating to the UE rate control information (e.g., a throttling factor or throttling delay). For instance, the MME may throttle NAS messages with user data (i.e., NAS Data PDUs) sent using control plane CIoT EPS optimization by adding a throttling factor and/or a throttling delay in a NAS message sent to the UE.