Signaling Connection Carrying User Plane Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

In IP mobile bearer networks, the frequent establishment and release of radio access bearers for small data volume services, such as SMS, increase signaling overhead, network load, and operator costs due to the need for frequent signaling interactions.

Innovation Solution

A method where user equipment (UE) in an idle state uses a signaling connection to transmit user plane data packets without establishing a radio interface side user plane bearer, reducing the need for frequent bearer establishment and release, thereby minimizing signaling overhead and network load.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a radio access bearer is established for small data volume services, then user plane data can be transmitted, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser plane data transmission capabilityVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the control plane signaling connection with the user plane data transmission by allowing user plane IP packets to be carried within the signaling connection framework. This combines two separate functions (signaling and data transmission) into a single channel, eliminating the need for separate bearer establishment and reducing signaling overhead for small data services.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The signaling connection is designed to serve multiple functions: it maintains control plane communication while simultaneously supporting user plane data transmission. This multi-functionality allows the same connection to handle both signaling and small data traffic, reducing the need for dedicated bearers and lowering overall signaling overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If a radio access bearer is frequently established and released for small data services, then data transmission is enabled, but network load increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission efficiencyVSAvoidnetwork load

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes the signaling connection in advance as part of the normal service request process, and prepares the user plane data transmission capability within this existing connection. By having the signaling connection already in place before small data transmission is needed, the system avoids the overhead of frequent bearer establishment and release cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The signaling connection maintains a continuous state that can accommodate user plane data transmission without requiring repeated establishment and release. This continuity allows small data services to utilize the existing connection framework, reducing the frequency of bearer management operations and thereby decreasing network load.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If a radio access bearer is established for each small data service, then data can be transmitted, but operating cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice delivery capabilityVSAvoidoperating cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of establishing and releasing bearers for each small data service, the patent recovers the existing signaling connection for data transmission purposes. The signaling connection is discarded only when the service is complete, rather than releasing dedicated bearers repeatedly, which reduces the operational complexity and cost associated with frequent bearer management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Data Source

PatentUS8817705B2Method, apparatus and system for transmitting user plane data

Publication Date: 2014.08.26 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD

AI summary

Receiving a connection establishment request message sent by a user equipment; establishing a signaling connection with the user equipment according to the connection establishment request message; and transmitting a user plane IP data packet through the signaling connection. After a signaling connection is established between a UE in an idle state and a mobility management device, an uplink user plane IP data packet or a downlink user plane IP data packet, is directly transmitted between the UE and the network side through the signaling connection, with no need to specifically establish (recover) an RAB between the UE and an S-GW, which can save the signaling overhead, thus reducing the network load and lowering the operating cost of an operator.