Mobile Network Bearer Prioritization for MTC Congestion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile communication networks face challenges in efficiently managing data packet communication, particularly with machine-type communications (MTC) that generate sporadic, low-priority data, leading to congestion when periodic transmissions coincide with other network demands.
Innovation Solution
The network infrastructure is enhanced by allowing mobile communications devices to indicate the type of data packets, enabling dynamic configuration of communications bearers based on traffic type, with low-priority and MTC indicators used to manage congestion by buffering and discarding lower-priority data packets when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If machine-type communications transmit data packets periodically to report monitored parameters, then complete data collection is achieved, but network congestion occurs when transmissions coincide
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the network bearer characteristics adjustable and adaptive. The network can dynamically modify bearer properties such as priority level, data rate, and buffering behavior based on real-time congestion conditions. This allows the system to transition between different operational states (e.g., normal operation vs. congestion mode) and adapt to varying network loads while maintaining complete data collection from MTC devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes network parameters including priority indicators, data packet buffering thresholds, and bearer characteristics to manage congestion. By modifying these parameters dynamically, the network can prioritize certain data flows over others during congestion events, ensuring that MTC data collection remains complete while preventing network overload through parameter-based traffic management.
2Reliability
If the network buffers all data packets during congestion, then data loss is prevented, but network resources are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the treatment of data packets based on their source and priority. Instead of uniformly buffering all packets, the network applies selective buffering only to low-priority packets from MTC devices during congestion conditions. High-priority packets continue to be transmitted without buffering, optimizing network resource utilization while maintaining reliable data delivery for critical communications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by buffering only a subset of data packets (specifically low-priority MTC packets) rather than all packets. This selective approach prevents network resource waste by avoiding excessive buffering of high-priority traffic while still providing adequate protection for MTC data delivery through partial buffering during congestion events.
3Device complexity
If the network treats all data packets equally, then network simplicity is maintained, but congestion management is ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing data packets into different categories or classes based on their source (MTC vs. human-to-human) and priority level. The network then manages each segment differently through separate quality of service parameters and handling mechanisms. This segmentation approach maintains relative architectural simplicity while enabling effective congestion management through class-based traffic differentiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by creating a multi-functional network bearer system that can handle multiple traffic types (MTC and human-to-human) through a unified framework. The same bearer infrastructure supports different service classes by applying configurable priority indicators and quality of service parameters, achieving effective congestion management without requiring separate dedicated networks for each traffic type.
Data Source
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AI summary
An infrastructure equipment is for forming part of a mobile communications network. The mobile communications network is arranged in operation to communicate data to and/or from mobile communications devices. The infrastructure equipment is arrange in operation to receive an indication of a relative type of data packets for communication via a communications bearer for supporting a communications session of a mobile communications device, the indication of the type of the data packets being used to configure the communications bearer, to provide the communications bearer from the mobile communications device in accordance with the indication of the type of the data packets, and to control the communication of the data packets via the communications bearer in accordance with the type of data packets being communicated via the communications bearer. By providing an indication of the relative type of the data packets, such as an indication that the data packets are of low priority or are generated or being received by a machine type communication application, the mobile communications network can control the communication of the data packets from the communications bearer differently to data packets communicated via other communications bearer having a higher priority. In one example the mobile communications network buffers data packets from a low priority and/or machine type communication application but not data packets of a higher priority, when the mobile communications network is experiencing congestion.