MTC-IWF Small Data Transmission via Group MSISDN

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current techniques for transmitting small data payloads in Machine Type Communication (MTC) are inefficient and incompatible with emerging broadband wireless access (BWA) networks, leading to increased network load and potential delays.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a system architecture that utilizes specific reference points (MTCx, MTCy, MTCz) within the BWA network to efficiently transmit small data payloads, leveraging the MTC-IWF to authenticate and route data through the core network, optimizing pathways based on the UE's connection mode and network operator policies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If unique MSISDN is assigned to each MTC device, then device identification capability is improved, but network resource consumption increases and MSISDN shortages occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice identification capabilityVSAvoidnetwork resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple MTC devices into a single group identified by a common MSISDN. Instead of assigning unique MSISDN to each device, multiple devices share the same group MSISDN, reducing the total number of MSISDN required and decreasing network resource consumption while maintaining adequate device identification capability through group-level identification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The common MSISDN serves multiple functions: it identifies the group of MTC devices, routes incoming messages to the appropriate group, and enables bulk message delivery to multiple devices simultaneously. This multi-functionality reduces the need for unique identifiers and decreases overall network resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional data transmission methods are used for MTC, then compatibility with existing networks is maintained, but transmission efficiency decreases and network load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork compatibilityVSAvoidtransmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary entity (such as a gateway or proxy server) that mediates between traditional networks and MTC devices. This intermediary translates and forwards messages efficiently, enabling optimized transmission paths for MTC traffic while maintaining compatibility with existing network infrastructure. The intermediary handles message routing, grouping, and delivery optimization without requiring changes to core network elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If large number of MTC devices are connected, then device coverage is improved, but network load increases and performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice coverageVSAvoidnetwork load
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple MTC devices into communication groups identified by common MSISDN. This merging approach allows the network to handle large numbers of devices by processing group-level communications rather than individual device communications, significantly reducing signaling overhead and network load while maintaining extensive device coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses message copying and forwarding mechanisms where a single message can be copied and delivered to multiple devices within a group simultaneously. This approach reduces the number of individual transmission operations required, decreasing network load while enabling broad device coverage through efficient bulk message delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3716695A1Small data communications in a wireless communication network
Publication Date: 2020.09.30 APPLE INC
  • EP3716695A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3716695A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3a
  • EP3716695A1 patent drawingFigure 3b~3c

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure describe techniques and configurations for transmitting small data payloads such as, for example, Machine Type Communication (MTC) data in a wireless communication network. A system may include features to implement an interworking function (IWF) to receive, from a machine type communication (MTC) server, a trigger to send a data payload, which is smaller than a preconfigured threshold, to a user equipment (UE) over a wireless communication network, and send, over a first reference point to a first module including a Mobility Management Entity (MME) or a Serving GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) Support Node (SGSN) or a second reference point to a second module including a Home Location Register (HLR) or a Home Subscriber Server (HSS), the data payload and a request to forward the data payload to the UE.