Service-Dependent Inactivity Timer for Radio Access Network Bearer Optimization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The uniform inactivity timer setting in radio access networks is not optimal for different types of services, leading to premature bearer release or resource wastage, as it does not account for varying service characteristics and user behaviors.

Innovation Solution

The inactivity timer setting is made dependent on service characteristics or subscription characteristics, such as expected user behavior, allowing for tailored timer settings for each service or connection, with electronic circuitry generating and proposing optimal inactivity timer parameters for radio access network bearers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a uniform inactivity timer value is set for all bearers, then the system is simple to operate and manage, but resources are wasted when the timer is too long or bearers are prematurely released when the timer is too short

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of managing inactivity timerVSAvoidradio access network resource wastage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by setting different inactivity timer values for different bearers based on their specific service characteristics. Instead of using a uniform timer value across all bearers, the system tailors the timer setting to each bearer's requirements, thereby optimizing resource allocation and avoiding both premature release and unnecessary resource holding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the inactivity timer value adaptive rather than static. The timer is determined dynamically based on service characteristics, allowing the system to adjust timer values according to different service types and requirements, thus improving resource utilization while maintaining operational simplicity through automated determination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a long inactivity timer is set, then bearers are maintained longer avoiding premature release, but radio access network resources are occupied longer preventing other users from using them

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebearer maintenance reliabilityVSAvoidradio access network resource utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by customizing inactivity timer values according to each bearer's service characteristics. This ensures that each bearer receives an appropriate timer setting that maintains reliability for its specific service requirements while optimizing overall network resource utilization by avoiding unnecessarily long timer values for bearers that don't require them.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If a short inactivity timer is set, then radio access network resources are released quickly for other uses, but bearers may be released prematurely before service completion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradio access network resource turnoverVSAvoidbearer service completion reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by determining inactivity timer values based on specific service characteristics of each bearer. This ensures that bearers with services requiring longer completion times are assigned longer timer values, preventing premature release, while bearers with shorter service durations receive shorter timer values, enabling quick resource release for other uses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Productivity

If different inactivity timer values are set for different services, then resource allocation is optimized for each service type, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource allocation efficiencyVSAvoidinactivity timer management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by determining and setting the appropriate inactivity timer value for each bearer at the time of bearer establishment, based on the service characteristics. This preliminary determination eliminates the need for complex real-time adjustments and monitoring, thereby optimizing resource allocation while keeping the system management relatively simple through upfront configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8874112B2Service dependent inactivity timer

Publication Date: 2014.10.28 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

A node (20) of a communications network proposes an inactivity timer parameter for a radio access network bearer. The inactivity timer parameter indicates for how much time the bearer may be inactive for a session or a connection while the bearer is still allocated resources of the radio access network. The node proposes the inactivity timer parameter in dependence upon a service characteristic or a subscription characteristic for the session or the connection.