Simulated PWS Message Testing Network Resource Conservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current public warning systems (PWS) face challenges in efficiently testing network resource availability and configuration without wasting network and user equipment resources, and in detecting faults within the network before a disaster occurs.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a simulated PWS message that mimics a real PWS message but is not propagated over the air interface, allowing for network testing without resource wastage, and the use of an AMF node to collect and report network status to a PWS entity for fault detection and reporting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If real PWS messages are propagated over the air interface for testing, then network resource availability and configuration can be tested, but air interface resources are wasted and UE batteries are depleted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a simulated PWS message that copies the structure and format of a real PWS message but contains a test indicator flag. This simulated message is propagated through the network instead of real messages, allowing testing while preventing actual air interface transmission to UEs. The copying principle enables the test message to follow the same processing path as real messages without consuming valuable air interface resources or UE battery power.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary element - the test indicator flag within the simulated PWS message - that mediates between the need for testing and the need to conserve resources. This intermediary allows the network to identify and handle test messages differently from real messages, enabling testing functionality while preventing actual propagation over the air interface, thus resolving the contradiction between testing capability and resource conservation.
2Reliability
If network testing is performed frequently to detect faults before disasters, then PWS reliability is improved, but network and UE resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
By using simulated PWS messages that copy the format but not the function of real messages, the system enables frequent testing without the resource costs of actual message propagation. The test indicator flag allows the network to identify these as test messages and handle them appropriately, enabling reliable fault detection while maintaining resource efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary testing through simulated messages that traverse the network before actual disaster scenarios occur. This preliminary action allows the system to detect and resolve faults proactively, improving reliability without the resource consumption associated with frequent real message transmissions or actual disaster simulations.
3Loss of energy
If simulated PWS messages are used for testing, then resource wastage is prevented, but fault detection capability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The test indicator flag serves as an intermediary that enables fault detection without requiring actual air interface transmission. This intermediary allows the simulated message to trigger the same network processing and fault detection mechanisms as real messages, while the flag ensures the message is identified as a test message and handled appropriately, preventing resource wastage while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where network nodes process the simulated PWS message and report status information back through the network. The test indicator flag enables this feedback loop to function properly, allowing fault detection and reporting without requiring actual message propagation to UEs, thus maintaining detection capability while conserving resources.
Data Source
AI summary
A simulated Public Warning System (PWS) message is defined for efficient PWS testing. The simulated PWS message mimics a conventional PWS message, but indicates that it is not to be propagated across an air interface to UEs. However, the simulated PWS message is otherwise propagated through the network as a PWS message. This allows for testing the generation and propagation of PWS messages, without wasting valuable air interface and battery resources. In some embodiments, network nodes may initiate testing by requesting a simulated PWS message. An Access and Mobility management Function (AMF) node in a wireless communication network collects and reports network status to a PWS entity. The AMF node ascertains the functionality of network functions, nodes, and interfaces to which it is connected, independently from receiving reports of such functionality, and an indication of any detected fault or failure is sent to the PWS entity.