Network Exposure Function Aggregating IoT Data to Reduce Signaling Overhead

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current 5G mobile communication systems face inefficiencies in providing IoT services due to high signaling overhead and resource usage when handling small data transmissions from multiple IoT terminals, particularly in scenarios where each network function (NF) repeatedly performs signaling for each terminal, leading to suboptimal data transmission efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution optimizes data transmission by allowing terminals to send small data through a non-IP protocol (NIDD) via a Network Exposure Function (NEF), which aggregates data from multiple terminals and transmits it in a single signaling message, reducing the need for repeated signaling and improving resource utilization by using control plane signaling for data transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If each network function repeatedly performs signaling for each terminal to transmit small data, then data transmission can be achieved, but signaling overhead and resource usage increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission efficiencyVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple small data transmissions from different terminals into a single aggregated data message. The NEF collects small data packets from multiple IoT terminals and combines them into one unified message that is transmitted to the data network, thereby reducing the number of signaling operations and lowering overall signaling overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The Network Exposure Function (NEF) acts as an intermediary between IoT terminals and the data network. It receives small data transmissions from multiple terminals, aggregates them, and then forwards the combined data to the external data network, eliminating the need for each terminal to establish separate signaling connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If traditional IP-based protocols are used for each terminal's data transmission, then individual terminal communication is maintained, but resource utilization decreases due to repeated signaling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilizationVSAvoidtime for repeated signaling
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple individual data transmission operations are merged into a single aggregated transmission. The NEF combines small data packets from multiple terminals into one message, reducing the total time required for signaling operations and improving overall resource utilization in the network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If small data is transmitted through individual terminal connections, then each terminal maintains its own communication path, but data transmission efficiency decreases due to high signaling overhead

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission efficiencyVSAvoidnetwork function complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The NEF serves as a mediating component that simplifies the network architecture by handling data aggregation centrally. Instead of each network function managing individual terminal connections, the NEF consolidates these functions, reducing overall network complexity while improving data transmission efficiency through batch processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3714611B1Method and apparatus for providing cellular IoT service in mobile communication system
Publication Date: 2023.07.19 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3714611B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3714611B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3714611B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An operating method of a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system includes performing a procedure of radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment with a base station; and transmitting, to the base station, a data packet, wherein the performing of the procedure of the RRC connection establishment with the base station includes, transmitting, to the base station, release assistance information (RAI) including whether the UE needs to receive a response corresponding to the data packet during the procedure of the RRC connection establishment.