SCEF Entity Buffering Non-IP Data to Reduce MME Load

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Solution Overview

Problem

In mobile communication systems, when a UE is temporarily unreachable due to power saving mode or poor reception, the SCEF entity continues to send Non-IP data delivery requests, leading to unnecessary communication processing between the SCEF and MME, increasing the processing load.

Innovation Solution

The SCEF buffers Non-IP data when the UE is unreachable and suppresses transmission of new Non-IP data received from the server, preventing unnecessary traffic in the mobile network by only re-transmitting buffered data once the UE becomes reachable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the SCEF continues to send Non-IP data delivery requests when the UE is unreachable, then the data delivery reliability is improved, but the processing load between SCEF and MME increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata delivery reliabilityVSAvoidprocessing load
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The SCEF checks whether the UE is unreachable before transmitting new Non-IP data. When unreachable status is detected, the SCEF performs preliminary action by suppressing new data transmission and only retransmitting buffered data after the UE becomes reachable, thereby avoiding unnecessary communication processing while ensuring data delivery reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The SCEF dynamically adjusts its data transmission behavior based on the UE's reachability status. When the UE is unreachable, the SCEF switches to a suppression mode for new data; when reachable, it resumes normal transmission. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between maintaining delivery reliability and reducing processing load

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the SCEF buffers all Non-IP data when UE is unreachable, then data delivery completeness is improved, but data transmission order may be reversed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata delivery completenessVSAvoiddata transmission order
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The SCEF performs preliminary checking of the UE's reachability status before buffering new Non-IP data. By detecting unreachable status in advance, the SCEF can suppress new data buffering and only retain previously buffered data for retransmission, thereby maintaining both data completeness and transmission order

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The SCEF segments the data handling into two categories: data to be transmitted when UE is reachable, and data to be suppressed when UE is unreachable. This segmentation prevents new data from being buffered during unreachable periods, thus avoiding order reversal while ensuring all necessary data is delivered when the UE becomes available

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3525497B1SCEF entity, communication terminal, data processing method, data receiving method, and non-transitory computer-readable medium
Publication Date: 2021.04.21 NEC CORP
  • EP3525497B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3525497B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3525497B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To provide an SCEF entity capable of suppressing an increase in processing load related to communication between an SCEF and an MME in Non-IP data communication. An SCEF entity (10) according to the present invention includes a storage unit (11) configured to buffer first Non-IP data not delivered to a communication terminal (40), and a control unit (12) configured to, when the first Non-IP data is buffered upon receiving second Non-IP data addressed to the communication terminal (40) from a server device (30), suppress transmission of the second Non-IP data to a control device (20) in a mobile network and buffer the second Non-IP data into the storage unit (11).