MTC-IWF Device Local Caching for Downlink Data Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing M2M communication methods for downlink small data transmission frequently query the HLR/HSS, leading to increased signaling load and potential network congestion, especially in scenarios with high-frequency data transmission and multiple simultaneous applications.

Innovation Solution

The MTC-IWF device acquires and stores serving node information locally, reducing the need for frequent queries to the HLR/HSS by registering for association updates, allowing it to send downlink data directly to the serving node without querying the HLR/HSS for routing information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the MTC-IWF device queries the HLR/HSS for routing information each time downlink data needs to be sent, then the routing information can be obtained accurately, but the signaling load on the HLR/HSS increases greatly and network congestion may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverouting information accuracyVSAvoidsignaling load
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The MTC-IWF device performs preliminary actions by querying the HLR/HSS for routing information only when the local cache is empty or stale, rather than querying every time downlink data needs to be sent. This preliminary caching approach reduces repeated signaling while ensuring routing information is obtained when needed, resolving the contradiction between routing accuracy and signaling load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The MTC-IWF device creates a local copy (cache) of the routing information from the HLR/HSS and stores it locally. This copying mechanism allows the device to use the cached copy for subsequent downlink data transmissions without repeatedly querying the original HLR/HSS, thereby maintaining routing information accuracy while significantly reducing signaling load on the network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Quantity of substance

If the MTC-IWF device caches serving node information locally, then the signaling load on the HLR/HSS is reduced, but the probability of trigger delivery attempt failures increases when the cached information is stale

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignaling loadVSAvoiddelivery attempt success rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The MTC-IWF device implements a feedback mechanism by monitoring the freshness of cached serving node information. When the cache detects that information is stale (based on timing or validity indicators), it automatically triggers a refresh query to the HLR/HSS. This feedback loop ensures that cached information is updated before becoming unreliable, maintaining delivery success rates while keeping signaling load low.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The caching system dynamically adjusts its behavior based on the freshness of cached information. The device transitions between using cached data (when fresh) and querying the HLR/HSS (when stale), making the system adaptive rather than static. This dynamic approach balances the trade-off between reducing signaling load and maintaining reliable delivery by adjusting cache usage based on real-time information validity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple applications run simultaneously on the UE and multiple servers send small data frequently, then the data communication functionality is enhanced, but the signaling load on the HLR/HSS increases and network congestion may be caused

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata communication functionalityVSAvoidsignaling load
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The MTC-IWF device merges multiple downlink data requests from different servers into a single unified processing flow. Instead of each server independently querying the HLR/HSS for routing information, the device consolidates these requests and utilizes the cached routing information for all of them. This merging approach maintains full data communication functionality for multiple applications while significantly reducing the cumulative signaling load on the HLR/HSS that would otherwise cause network congestion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2861000B1Method and device for transmitting downlink data
Publication Date: 2017.08.02 HUAWEI DEVICE CO LTD
  • EP2861000B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2861000B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2861000B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention discloses a data downlink transmission method and a device, and belongs to the field of communications technologies. The method includes: receiving, by an MTC-IWF device, a first message sent by a server, where the first message includes downlink data that needs to be sent to a user equipment; and acquiring, by the MTC-IWF device, locally stored serving node information of the user equipment, and sending a second message to a serving node of the UE according to the serving node information of the UE, where the second message includes the downlink data that needs to be sent to the user equipment, so that the serving node sends the downlink data to the user equipment.