Mobile Edge Control Element Location Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mobile edge computing systems, location information of user equipment (UE) in idle states is often outdated, leading to inaccurate location services and restricted use cases, as the network does not track UE locations within tracking areas when they are not actively connected.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism where the mobile edge control element maintains location-related application information and sends application identification indications to UE upon location changes, ensuring accurate location awareness even in idle states through event reports and application-level or control plane signaling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the network does not track UE locations within tracking areas when UE are in idle states, then energy consumption is reduced and network resources are saved, but location information becomes outdated and location service accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The network performs preliminary location tracking when UE enters idle state by determining the idle location based on the last known location before idle transition. This preliminary action ensures location information is available immediately when UE becomes idle, preventing location service interruption while avoiding continuous tracking during idle state.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where UE periodically reports location information or the network retrieves location updates when UE transitions from idle to connected state. This feedback ensures location accuracy is maintained without requiring continuous tracking, resolving the contradiction between energy saving and location precision.
2Measurement precision
If continuous location tracking is performed for UE in idle states, then location service accuracy is improved, but network resources are consumed and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts location tracking behavior based on UE state. When UE is in connected state, continuous tracking is performed; when UE transitions to idle state, tracking is suspended and idle location is determined. This dynamic adaptation maintains location accuracy when needed while reducing system complexity and resource consumption during idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous tracking, the system employs periodic location updates triggered by specific events such as UE state transitions or periodic timers. This periodic action maintains location service accuracy while significantly reducing network resource consumption and system complexity compared to continuous tracking.
3Productivity
If location tracking is suspended for idle UE, then network resources are saved, but location information becomes outdated leading to service restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
Before UE transitions to idle state, the network determines and stores the idle location based on the last known location. This preliminary action ensures that location information is already available and up-to-date when UE becomes idle, maintaining service reliability without requiring continuous tracking and thus preserving network resource efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service mechanisms where UE autonomously provides location information through periodic updates or event-triggered reports when transitioning states. This self-service approach maintains location service reliability while minimizing network resource consumption, as the UE handles part of the location management independently.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for use by a mobile edge control element or function, the apparatus comprising processing circuitry, and memory for storing instructions to be executed by the processing circuitry, wherein the memory and the instructions are configured to, with the processing circuitry, cause the apparatus to: receive and process an event report indicating that location information of a communication element communicating in a communication network are provided, check location related application information for determining whether or not a relationship of at least one application to a location corresponding to the location information indicated in the event report is present, prepare, in case the check is affirmative, an application identification indication for indicating at least one location area where location information of the communication element is of relevance for a processing conducted by at least one application, and ensure that the communication element is informed about the application identification indication.