Network Overload Signaling for Wireless Access Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in managing network overload conditions, particularly in the core network and radio access network, leading to wasted effort and signaling overload due to unoptimized handling of MTC devices during congestion.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that send signaling to user equipment indicating network overload and recovery conditions, allowing devices to abstain from access attempts until the overload is resolved, thereby reducing unnecessary signaling and power consumption, and prioritizing critical access attempts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the network allows all MTC devices to attempt access during overload conditions, then access priority is maintained, but signaling overhead increases and network resources are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and separates critical access attempts from non-critical ones by introducing an access priority mechanism. Devices with high-priority traffic are allowed to attempt access even during overload conditions, while low-priority devices are barred. This extraction resolves the contradiction by removing unnecessary signaling from low-priority devices while maintaining access capability for critical devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of access permission from a binary state (allowed/not allowed) to a prioritized state (high-priority/low-priority). By introducing priority levels and modifying the access control parameter, the system can differentiate between critical and non-critical access attempts, thereby reducing signaling overhead for low-priority devices while maintaining reliability for high-priority devices.
2Ease of operation
If the network sends overload indication signaling to all user equipment, then access control is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the user equipment population into different priority groups (high-priority and low-priority devices). By segmenting the UE population, the network can send targeted overload indication signaling only to relevant groups, thereby improving access control efficiency while reducing overall signaling overhead compared to broadcasting to all devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by sending overload indication signaling selectively to specific UE groups rather than to all devices. The network transmitter sends signaling only to low-priority devices that need to be barred, while high-priority devices receive normal access permissions, thereby achieving effective access control with reduced signaling overhead.
3Adaptability or versatility
If MTC devices continue access attempts during overload, then access availability is maintained, but power consumption increases and network resources are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by sending overload indication signaling to low-priority devices before they attempt access during overload conditions. This advance notification allows devices to abstain from access attempts proactively, preventing wasted power consumption and network resource usage while maintaining access availability for high-priority devices that are not subjected to the same restrictions.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes, in response to receiving an overload start indication from a network node, composing and sending first signaling to at least one user equipment to indicate that an overload condition exists for the network node and, in response to receiving an overload end indication from the network node, composing and sending second signaling to the at least one user equipment to indicate that the overload condition no longer exists. A further method includes receiving at a user equipment first signaling from a network access node that indicates that an overload condition exists for a network node and abstaining from making a network access attempt until receiving second signaling from the network access node that indicates that the overload condition no longer exists for the network node. Corresponding apparatus and computer programs are also disclosed.