Mobile Network Signaling Optimization via Subscription Counter

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing number of subscriptions in mobile communication networks, particularly due to Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication, leads to unnecessary utilization of network resources as inactive subscriptions attempt to register, causing unwanted signaling traffic.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that individually set a period of time for disabling radio communication in terminal devices upon unsuccessful registration attempts, using a counter to track attempts and instructing the device to disable radio communication if a predetermined maximum is reached, thereby optimizing network resource utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the number of subscriptions is increased to support more M2M devices, then the network capacity and device connectivity are improved, but the network resource utilization deteriorates due to signaling traffic from inactive subscriptions attempting registration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of subscriptionsVSAvoidnetwork resource utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The network element performs preliminary actions by setting a counter and maximum counter value for each subscription before registration attempts occur. When the counter reaches the maximum value, the network proactively disables the radio communication for a predetermined period, preventing further unnecessary registration attempts from inactive subscriptions, thus reducing signaling traffic before it accumulates

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the network element monitors registration attempts for each subscription, updates the counter accordingly, and compares it with the maximum counter value. This closed-loop control allows the network to dynamically adjust radio communication status based on registration attempt history, automatically disabling communication when thresholds are exceeded and enabling it when the cooldown period expires

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If registration attempts are allowed continuously for all subscriptions, then the device connectivity and registration success rate are improved, but the signaling traffic and network load increase due to repeated attempts from inactive subscriptions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregistration success rateVSAvoidsignaling traffic
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The network element sets up counter parameters and maximum counter values in advance for each subscription. When inactive subscriptions repeatedly attempt registration, the counter increments and triggers radio communication disabling before excessive signaling occurs, proactively preventing the accumulation of unwanted traffic while ensuring active subscriptions can still register successfully

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the radio communication parameter from enabled to disabled state based on the counter value reaching the maximum threshold. This parameter change effectively controls signaling traffic by preventing further registration attempts from inactive subscriptions during the disabled period, while allowing normal registration processes for active subscriptions to continue

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2953407B1Optimization of network resource utilization
Publication Date: 2018.12.05 TELIASONERA AB
  • EP2953407B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2953407B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for optimizing signaling in a mobile communication network, wherein a terminal devices equipped with a subscription is attempting to register to the mobile communication network. The method comprises detecting an indication on an unsuccessful registering attempt; updating a counter value maintained for the subscription, the counter value indicating a number of the unsuccessful registering attempts; comparing the updated counter value with a predetermined maximum counter value; and if the updated counter value meets the predetermined maximum counter value instructing to disable a radio communication of the terminal device. The invention relates also to a terminal device computer program code and a subscription.