Mobile Originating Circuit-Switched Signaling Access Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing congestion in packet-switched (PS) domains of communication networks due to the rise in smartphone usage and machine-type communications poses a challenge in maintaining network availability without overburdening the circuit-switched (CS) domain, risking user dissatisfaction and network performance degradation.
Innovation Solution
Providing mobile terminals with information elements (IEs) that contain instructions on the usage of Mobile Originating circuit-switched (MO-CS) services in case of PS network unavailability, allowing controlled access to CS services based on available resources, thereby minimizing congestion in both domains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If devices are allowed to uncontrolled select the CS domain when backed off from PS domain, then users can access legacy CS services, but this causes a domino effect and worsens the network capacity problem for the HSS
Solution Approach 1:
The network performs preliminary assessment of CS domain resource availability before allowing devices to access CS services. The HSS evaluates whether sufficient resources exist in the CS domain (specifically whether the number of active CS services is below a threshold) and only then permits the device to select CS domain, preventing uncontrolled access that would worsen network capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the HSS continuously monitors CS domain resource usage and dynamically controls device access based on current network conditions. When CS domain resources become insufficient, the HSS prevents further device selection of CS domain, and this decision is communicated back to the device through the MME, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains network capacity
2Reliability
If devices are completely disallowed from selecting CS domain when backed off from PS domain, then network capacity is protected, but consumers cannot access legacy CS services and operators lose revenues
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts device access to CS domain based on real-time network conditions. The HSS evaluates current CS domain resource availability and dynamically determines whether to permit or deny CS domain selection for each device. This dynamic control allows the system to adapt to changing network conditions, ensuring service availability when resources are sufficient while protecting network capacity when resources are constrained
Solution Approach 2:
The HSS changes the parameter of device access permission to CS domain based on evaluated network conditions. When the number of active CS services is below a threshold indicating sufficient resources, the HSS changes the access parameter from denied to permitted, allowing devices to select CS domain. When resources are insufficient, the parameter is changed back to denied, creating a flexible service availability that responds to network capacity
Data Source
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AI summary
A mobile terminal communicates via circuit-switched (CS) domain and packet-switched (PS) domain of a communication network. At least one information element (IE) is provided at the mobile terminal (UE), which comprises instructions on usage of Mobile Originating Circuit-Switched (MO-CS) services in case of unavailability, e.g. congestion, of the packet-switched (PS) network. The Information Element may be sent to the UE together with the connection request reject message or may be stored as configuration at the UE. Aternatively, the IE may be receive from upper application layers, in particular with machine-to-machine devices.