MTC Subscriber Profile Path Control via Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network service providers face challenges in controlling, configuring, and managing millions of machine-type communication (MTC) devices, especially those that do not support over-the-air updates, leading to difficulties in network protection due to unpredictable behavior caused by malware or improper configuration.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a network environment that leverages subscriber profiles to specify and control communication paths between MTC devices and application servers, using control plane and user plane paths, allowing for centralized management and efficient network operation by assigning non-IP access point names and delivery mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If MTC devices are deployed at scale without centralized path control, then device coverage and network scale are improved, but network security and manageability deteriorate due to unpredictable device behavior
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a subscription manager as an intermediary entity that mediates between MTC devices and the network core. This intermediary maintains subscription profiles containing path selection criteria and enforces path selection policies, thereby providing centralized control over device communication paths without requiring direct management of each individual device. This resolves the contradiction by enabling scale through automated intermediary management while maintaining security through centralized policy enforcement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring subscription profiles with path selection criteria before devices connect to the network. These profiles contain predetermined rules for selecting control plane or user plane paths based on device characteristics, service requirements, and security policies. This preliminary configuration enables automated path selection that maintains network security while supporting large numbers of devices without real-time intervention.
2Ease of operation
If traditional network paths are used for MTC devices, then device connectivity is achieved, but network efficiency deteriorates due to lack of optimized path selection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic path selection by enabling the network to adaptively choose between control plane and user plane paths based on real-time conditions and device-specific criteria stored in subscription profiles. The path selection is not static but dynamically determined by evaluating multiple factors including device type, service requirements, and network state. This dynamic approach maintains ease of operation for device connectivity while significantly improving network efficiency through optimized path selection.
3Adaptability or versatility
If MTC devices are allowed to act independently without centralized control, then device autonomy is improved, but network protectability deteriorates due to inability to manage devices that do not support over-the-air updates
Solution Approach 1:
The subscription manager acts as an intermediary that maintains centralized control over autonomous MTC devices. By storing subscription profiles with path selection criteria and enforcing policy decisions, the intermediary enables devices to operate autonomously while maintaining network manageability. This is particularly important for devices that cannot receive over-the-air updates, as the intermediary provides the necessary control and management functions that these autonomous devices cannot perform themselves.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems described herein control communication paths used for machine-type communications (MTC) devices in a wireless network. The systems store a subscriber profile for an MTC device, including an APN configuration that differentiates, for non-IP-type communications, types of bearer paths between the MTC device and an ePC network; receive an attach request from the MTC device; retrieve the subscriber profile; and determine if the subscriber profile indicates an APN configuration for a non-IP bearer. When the subscriber profile indicates an APN configuration for a non-IP bearer, the systems identify in the subscriber profile an MTC-ePC delivery mechanism, between the MTC device and the ePC network, as a user plane or a control plane.