MTC-IWF Buffering Device Trigger Messages for LTE Battery Conservation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In LTE networks, a large number of device triggering messages with small data requests cause signaling surges, leading to increased battery consumption in user equipment (UE) as they frequently toggle between idle and connected states, especially in mobile data applications.

Innovation Solution

The MTC InterWorking Function (MTC-IWF) determines the UE's state and prioritizes device trigger messages, buffering them when the UE is idle and delivering them when it is connected, thereby reducing unnecessary state transitions and conserving battery life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If device trigger messages are sent frequently to user equipment, then the network can respond quickly to application requests, but signaling surge occurs and battery life deteriorates due to frequent state transitions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse speedVSAvoidbattery life

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The MTC-IWF performs preliminary actions by determining the UE state before sending device trigger messages. It checks whether the UE is in connected or idle state in advance, and only sends messages when the UE is in connected state, thereby avoiding unnecessary state transitions and energy consumption while maintaining responsive communication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Use of energy by moving object

If device trigger messages are buffered when UE is idle, then battery life is improved by reducing state transitions, but message delivery time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery lifeVSAvoidmessage delivery time

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts message delivery strategy based on UE state. When UE is in connected state, messages are sent immediately without buffering. When UE is in idle state, messages are buffered until UE transitions to connected state. This dynamic adaptation optimizes both energy consumption and delivery time based on real-time conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of energy

If the MTC-IWF checks UE state before sending messages, then unnecessary transmissions are reduced and energy is saved, but network signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidnetwork complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The MTC-IWF acts as an intermediary between the application server and the UE. It assumes the responsibility of determining UE state and controlling message timing, thereby shielding the rest of the network from complex state management logic. This centralized mediation simplifies overall network architecture while achieving energy optimization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3142392B1Apparatus and method to efficiently send device trigger messages

Publication Date: 2023.08.23 APPLE INC

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AI summary

With the proliferation of Machine-Type Communication (MTC), an excessive use of device trigger messages in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network can have negative effects on user equipment (UE). These effects can include a shortening of UE battery life and/or excessive signaling caused by the frequent changing from an idle mode to an active mode. An MTC Interworking Function (MTC-IWF) can be configured to determine the status of a UE to which a device trigger message is intended. If the device trigger message is low priority and the UE is in an idle state, the MTC-IWF or Mobile Management Entity (MME)/Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN)/Mobile Switching Center (MSC) can buffer the device trigger message.