MME SMS Resource Release via Gs Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for managing SMS transport resources between the Mobility Management Entity (MME) and User Equipment (UE) in Evolved Packet Systems (EPS) are inefficient due to a lack of clear indication for resource release, leading to suboptimal deployment and release of services.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where the MME releases SMS transport resources after receiving a Control Protocol Acknowledge signal from the Mobile Switching Centre (MSC), allowing for controlled resource management through a release request signal delivered via the Gs Interface, ensuring resources are released only when no longer needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the MME maintains SMS transport resources continuously, then service reliability is improved, but resource efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The MME performs preliminary actions by establishing and maintaining SMS transport resources in advance before actual SMS transmission occurs. This ensures that when SMS messages need to be transmitted, the resources are already in place and ready, eliminating delays and ensuring service reliability. The preliminary resource setup allows the network to quickly respond to SMS transmission requests without needing to establish connections in real-time, thus maintaining reliability while optimizing resource utilization through proactive rather than reactive resource allocation.
2Loss of energy
If the MME releases SMS transport resources promptly, then resource efficiency is improved, but service reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the MME continuously monitors the status of SMS transport resources and receives feedback signals from the MSC/VLR about the actual transmission status. Based on this feedback, the MME dynamically adjusts resource allocation - releasing resources when transmission is complete or no longer needed, while maintaining resources when transmission is ongoing or expected. This feedback-driven approach ensures resource efficiency by avoiding unnecessary resource retention, while simultaneously maintaining service reliability by ensuring resources are available when needed based on real-time transmission status information.
3Ease of operation
If clear indication for resource release is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The MSC/VLR acts as an intermediary between the MME and the SMS transmission system, providing clear indication signals about when resources should be released. The MSC/VLR receives transmission status information from the SMS system and translates this into standardized release indication signals that the MME can understand and act upon. This intermediary layer simplifies the MME's operation by providing unambiguous release criteria, while the complexity is distributed to the MSC/VLR which already manages the SMS transmission lifecycle. The intermediary mechanism makes resource release decisions easier to implement without requiring the MME to complex analysis of transmission status.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention provides for a method of controlling release of SMS transport resources between User Equipment and a MME of a communications network, wherein the release is permitted subsequent to a Control Protocol Acknowledge signal at a Mobile Switching Centre of the network, and in particular a method wherein the release is initiated by the MME responsive to receipt of a release signal, and further provides for a SGs Interface, and MME arranged to be employed with such a control method.