Telecommunications Network Position Signaling Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cellular telecommunications networks inefficiently manage resources due to regular position updates from terminals that receive few or no incoming calls and/or have low mobility, leading to unnecessary network resource consumption.
Innovation Solution
Assigning identifiers to terminals based on expected paging frequency, allowing the network to control when terminals signal their position and adjust update frequencies, thereby reducing unnecessary signaling and resource usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all terminals periodically signal their position to the network at the same regular period, then the network can efficiently page all terminals when incoming calls need to be routed, but terminals that receive few or no incoming calls and/or have low mobility consume unnecessary network resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating position update behavior based on terminal characteristics. Terminals are categorized into different groups (e.g., mobile terminals, eCall terminals, M2M terminals) with different paging frequencies. Mobile terminals continue periodic updates at standard intervals, while eCall and M2M terminals update less frequently or only when location changes, optimizing resource usage for each terminal type according to its specific needs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making position update frequency adjustable rather than fixed. The network can dynamically modify the periodicity of position updates based on terminal mobility patterns, traffic characteristics, and paging requirements. This allows the system to adapt update intervals in real-time, reducing updates for stationary terminals while maintaining frequent updates for mobile terminals
2Reliability
If eCall terminals operate with the mobile telecommunications network in the same manner as conventional terminals, then they can establish emergency calls, but this results in a huge amount of network signalling particularly to perform regular location area updates as cars move
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the position update periodicity parameter specifically for eCall terminals. Instead of using the standard periodic update interval, eCall terminals use extended or variable intervals between location area updates. The network monitors eCall terminal mobility and adjusts update frequency based on actual movement patterns, reducing signalling volume while maintaining emergency call functionality
3Ease of operation
If terminals are configured to periodically provide the network with their position, then the terminal can be paged efficiently by the network when an incoming call needs to be routed, but this consumes VLR capacity, MSC processing capacity, SGSN processing capacity, radio resources, HLR capacity, AUC capacity, GGSN resources, IP addresses, and IMS server capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing terminals into distinct categories with different position update requirements. The network segments terminal management into mobile terminals (requiring frequent updates), eCall terminals (requiring reduced updates), and M2M terminals (requiring minimal updates). Each segment is managed with appropriate update frequencies, reducing overall network resource consumption while maintaining call routing efficiency for each segment
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile or cellular telecommunications network includes a plurality of terminals which are registered. The terminal may be fixed in position, such as a terminal in a vending machine. Alternatively, the terminal may be fixed to a vehicle used for sending an SOS message when the vehicle is involved in an accident. The terminal may be immobile, and therefore does not need to continually advise the network of its location. The terminal may not receive incoming calls or other communications. The terminals therefore may not require paging by the network. In the embodiments described, such terminals are assigned a special terminal type identifier which indicates to the network that these terminals do not require paging. The way in which the network interacts with the terminals is adjusted so that signaling to perform location updates is eliminated or at least reduced.