Network Device Signaling for IoT Terminal Quantity Estimation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In IoT scenarios, especially in NB-IoT, network devices face challenges in efficiently obtaining the quantity of terminal devices within their coverage, leading to high power consumption and resource overheads due to existing signaling methods being inadequate for varying numbers of terminals.
Innovation Solution
A method where a network device sends a broadcast or paging message indicating terminal devices to send information on specific resources, allowing the network to estimate the number of devices based on received information, and adjusts signaling periods based on device quantity to optimize resource usage and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the network device uses existing signaling methods to obtain the quantity of terminal devices, then the network device can acquire device quantity information, but the power consumption and resource overheads increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by having terminal devices send information only on specific resources rather than continuously or excessively. The network device sends first information indicating terminal devices to send second information on one or more first resources, and terminal devices comply by sending information only when needed, reducing overall power consumption while still obtaining accurate device quantity information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through the use of broadcast messages and paging messages that are transmitted at specific intervals. The network device periodically sends first information to indicate resource allocation, and terminal devices periodically send second information on designated resources, enabling the network to obtain device quantity information without continuous signaling overhead.
2Quantity of substance
If the network device uses existing signaling methods to obtain the quantity of terminal devices, then the network device can acquire device quantity information, but the signaling overheads increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces signaling overheads by applying partial action - the network device sends first information only when needed to indicate resource allocation, and terminal devices send second information only on specific resources rather than continuously. This selective signaling approach obtains accurate device quantity information while minimizing the total amount of signaling traffic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the broadcast message and paging message serve multiple functions. These messages not only transmit conventional information but also carry first information that indicates resource allocation for terminal devices to send second information. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate signaling messages, thereby reducing overall signaling overheads.
3Device complexity
If the network device uses fixed signaling periods, then the signaling schedule is simple, but the resource management efficiency decreases when the number of terminal devices varies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the signaling period adjustable rather than fixed. The network device determines a period for sending the first broadcast message based on the quantity of terminal devices. When the number of devices varies, the signaling period can be dynamically adjusted to optimize resource management efficiency while maintaining relatively simple configuration through automated adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the network device receives second information from terminal devices on the first resources, and uses this feedback to determine the quantity of terminal devices. Based on this feedback, the network device adjusts the signaling period for subsequent broadcasts, creating a closed-loop system that optimizes resource management efficiency according to actual device conditions.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
An information sending method, an apparatus, and a system are provided, so that a quantity of terminal devices can be obtained. In the method, a network device sends first information by using a first message, where the first information is used to indicate a terminal device to send second information on one or more first resources. Each terminal device that receives the first message may send the second information on a part of or all of the one or more first resources based on the first information included in the first message, where the first message may be a broadcast message or a paging message. The network device receives the second information on the one or more first resources. After receiving the second information, the network device may estimate a quantity of terminal devices within coverage of the network device based on a quantity of pieces of received second information, or a quantity of times of receiving the second information, to obtain the quantity of terminal devices.