MTC Network Node Scheduling for Configuration Acquisition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Machine Type Communication (MTC) devices face challenges in optimizing power consumption and network congestion due to the need for continuous connectivity, especially when acquiring configuration information from other devices, which leads to increased power usage and bandwidth consumption.

Innovation Solution

A communication system where a network node checks the connectivity of an existing communication node and acquires or notifies a new node of configuration information only when the existing node is connected, using time information to schedule next connections and minimize power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If MTC devices continuously connect to the network to acquire configuration information, then information availability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration information acquisitionVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by scheduling MTC devices to connect to the network at specific time intervals rather than continuously. The network node determines connection timing for each device, allowing them to acquire configuration information periodically while remaining in low-power state between connections, thus resolving the contradiction between information availability and power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the network node pre-determine and notify MTC devices of their scheduled connection times before the actual connections occur. This allows devices to plan their network access in advance and remain in power-saving mode until their designated connection window, reducing unnecessary power consumption while ensuring configuration information is acquired when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If multiple MTC devices connect to the network simultaneously to acquire configuration information, then information acquisition speed is improved, but network congestion increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation acquisition speedVSAvoidnetwork congestion

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the network access of multiple MTC devices into separate time slots. The network node determines individual connection timing for each device, segmenting simultaneous access requests into distributed time-based connections. This maintains information acquisition efficiency while preventing network congestion by avoiding simultaneous resource contention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If MTC devices connect to the network frequently to ensure information availability, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation availabilityVSAvoidconnection time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8886167B2Communication node and network node

Publication Date: 2014.11.11 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORP OF AMERICA

AI summary

Disclosed is a technique to enable a communication node to acquire predetermined newer information (e.g., configuration information) held by another communication node while minimizing power consumption by communication nodes. According to the technique, when receiving a request for configuration information from a new MTC device 100, a MME 220 checks whether an existing MTC device 110 as a request target for configuration information connects or not. When the existing MTC device does not connect, the new MTC device is notified of time information (e.g., next connection time of the existing MTC device, a next connection time of a new MTC device or a next connection time zone of the new MTC device). This time information enables the new MTC device to specify a time after the MME acquires and holds the configuration information from the existing MTC device. The new MTC device reconnects based on this time information, whereby the new MTC device can acquire desired configuration information from the MME.