Small Data Triggering in Wireless Networks via Interworking Function

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current techniques for transmitting small data payloads in Machine Type Communication (MTC) are inefficient and incompatible with emerging broadband wireless access (BWA) networks, leading to increased network load and resource utilization issues.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of specific techniques and configurations within the BWA network, including a system architecture that efficiently handles small data transmissions through reference points like T5a/T5b and Tsp, utilizing protocols like GTP and MTC-AP, to manage and trigger the transmission of small data payloads with reduced network impact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current MTC techniques are used for small data transmission, then device communication capability is maintained, but network load increases and resource utilization deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication capabilityVSAvoidnetwork load
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the small data transmission process into distinct phases: data generation at MTC device, triggering mechanism activation, network node processing (MME/SGSN), and data delivery. This segmentation allows each node to handle only necessary operations, reducing overall network load while maintaining communication reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary actions through trigger mechanisms that are pre-configured in the network. When specific conditions are met (e.g., data buffer threshold), pre-defined triggering actions are automatically executed, eliminating the need for continuous network monitoring and reducing signaling overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional signaling protocols are used, then protocol compatibility is maintained, but signaling delays increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotocol compatibilityVSAvoidsignaling delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the triggering function from traditional signaling protocols and implements it as a separate, dedicated mechanism. This allows the triggering process to operate independently with optimized timing, reducing signaling delays while maintaining compatibility with existing protocols through standardized interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary nodes (MTC-IWF, MME, SGSN) that mediate between MTC devices and the core network. These intermediaries buffer and manage signaling traffic, allowing asynchronous processing that reduces delays while maintaining protocol compatibility through standardized message formats.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If standard resource allocation is used, then network management simplicity is maintained, but resource allocation efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork management complexityVSAvoidresource allocation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by implementing specialized resource allocation rules specifically for MTC small data transmissions. Different resource pools, scheduling priorities, and allocation algorithms are applied locally to MTC traffic versus traditional mobile data, optimizing resource utilization without complicating overall network management through targeted configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3319347B1Small data techniques and configurations in a wireless communication network
Publication Date: 2023.08.23 APPLE INC
  • EP3319347B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3319347B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3319347B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure describe techniques and configurations for triggering transmission of data payloads in a wireless communication network. An apparatus may include one or more computer-readable media having instructions and one or more processors coupled with the one or more computer-readable media and configured to execute the instructions to implement an interworking function (IWF) to receive, from a Machine Type Communication (MTC) server, a trigger request to trigger sending of a data payload over a wireless communication network, the data payload being smaller than a preconfigured threshold, and send, in response to the trigger request over a reference point to a module including a Mobility Management Entity (MME) or a Serving GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) Support Node (SGSN), a trigger notification to trigger sending of the data payload over the wireless communication network.