Core Network Node Buffering for Control Signal Congestion

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge in 6G networks is to improve the congestion tolerance of the core network.

Innovation Solution

A network node is provided with a reception unit to receive control signals from a session management node, a transmission unit to transmit these signals to the session management node upon request, and a control unit to accumulate these signals, thereby managing congestion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If control signals are transmitted directly from mobility management node to session management node, then signal transmission speed is fast, but network congestion occurs during high load periods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transmission speedVSAvoidcongestion tolerance
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediate buffer in the session management node to temporarily store control signals from the mobility management node. This buffer acts as a mediator that decouples the direct transmission path, allowing signals to be queued and transmitted at optimal times rather than causing immediate congestion during high load periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary buffering of control signals before they are forwarded to the target node. By accumulating signals in advance during low-load periods and transmitting them during appropriate intervals, the system prepares for potential congestion scenarios proactively, improving overall network reliability without sacrificing transmission speed during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If control signals are accumulated in the network node, then congestion tolerance is improved, but signal transmission delay increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecongestion toleranceVSAvoidsignal transmission delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic transmission of accumulated control signals from the buffer. Instead of continuous transmission that would cause congestion, or complete withholding that would increase delay, the system transmits signals at periodic intervals when network conditions are favorable, thereby balancing congestion tolerance with acceptable transmission delay.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic buffer management where the accumulation and transmission of control signals adapts to real-time network conditions. The buffer dynamically adjusts its behavior based on current load levels, transmitting signals when capacity allows and accumulating them when congestion is detected, thus optimizing the trade-off between congestion tolerance and transmission delay.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4716364A1Terminal, base station, and network node
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 NTT DOCOMO INC
  • EP4716364A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4716364A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4716364A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A network node includes a reception unit configured to receive, from a session management node, a message requesting accumulation of control signals transmitted from a mobility management node to the session management node; a transmission unit configured to transmit, to the mobility management node, a message requesting transmission of the control signals to the network node; and a control unit configured to accumulate the control signals received from the mobility management node, wherein the transmission unit transmits the control signals to the session management node in response to a request from the session management node.