Queued Admissions Control for Wireless Bearer Requests
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3GPP LTE wireless communication systems lack the capability to maintain a queue of pending requests for radio frequency channel resources, leading to difficulties in managing resource congestion and coordinating resource requests among independent LTE Application Function network elements, which results in inefficient handling of Push-to-Talk voice calls.
Innovation Solution
A method and services network element that create a bearer establishment request record with priority information and add it to a queue associated with the user equipment's cell, allowing coordinated submission of requests based on priority, and transfer records between queues when the user equipment moves to a new cell, effectively managing channel capacity allocation and maintaining a single virtual queue across multiple network elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the Blocked Calls Cleared (Erlang-B) approach is used in 3GPP LTE systems, then resource management is simplified and telephone calls are handled adequately, but Push-to-Talk voice calls cannot be queued when resources are unavailable, leading to call failures instead of delayed admission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the resource management function by introducing a separate queuing mechanism that operates independently from the standard Erlang-B admission control. The queuing function is implemented as a distinct component that maintains pending requests without interfering with the core resource allocation logic, allowing PTT calls to be queued while other services continue to use simplified Erlang-B management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary queuing layer between the admission control function and the resource allocation function. This intermediary component receives blocked PTT call requests, maintains them in a queue with priority information, and releases them when resources become available, thereby mediating between the simplified Erlang-B approach and the need for PTT call queuing without requiring fundamental changes to the core system.
2Productivity
If the Allocation and Retention Priority (ARP) preemption mechanism is used to manage resource congestion, then resource allocation efficiency is improved, but end user experience deteriorates due to objectionable preemption of existing lower priority calls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by queuing new PTT call requests before they are admitted to the network when resources are unavailable. Instead of immediately preempting existing calls or rejecting new requests, the system preliminarily stores the new requests in a queue with associated priority information, waiting for resources to become naturally available without forcing preemption on existing calls.
3Adaptability or versatility
If independent LTE Application Function network elements with separate PCRFs are deployed, then service independence and flexibility are improved, but coordination of resource requests deteriorates, making it difficult to maintain a common queue of pending requests across multiple network elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing a queuing mechanism that can be deployed independently in each AF/PCRF element while maintaining functional equivalence. Each independent network element implements the same queuing logic and data structures, allowing them to operate autonomously while producing consistent results. This universal approach enables multiple independent elements to handle PTT queuing without requiring complex inter-element coordination protocols.
4Reliability
If a queue of pending bearer establishment requests is maintained, then Push-to-Talk call admission control is improved, but system complexity increases due to the need for queue management, priority handling, and coordination across network elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing the queuing function with specific local characteristics optimized for PTT traffic. Each queue is configured with PTT-specific parameters such as priority fields, timing information, and release criteria that are tailored to the unique requirements of Push-to-Talk services. This localized optimization allows reliable PTT admission control without requiring complex general-purpose queue management systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and services network element are provided that provide for queued admissions control in a wireless communication system by receiving a bearer establishment request associated with a user equipment, determining that a cell where the user equipment is located is congested, in response to determining that the cell is congested, creating a bearer establishment request record (BERR) associated with the user equipment and the bearer establishment request, wherein the BERR comprises priority information associated with the BERR, and adding the BERR to a queue, wherein the queue is associated with a cell serving the user equipment, wherein the BERR is positioned in the queue based on the priority information, and wherein bearer establishment requests associated with BERRs in the queue are submitted based on a position of the BERRs in the queue.