SMS Over NAS Fallback for Bearer Failure Messaging Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication networks fail to effectively maintain communication links for wireless user devices in response to default bearer failure, leading to inhibition of voice, video, and IP messaging sessions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a control plane mechanism that registers wireless user devices for control plane messaging via Short-Message-Service (SMS) over Non-Access Stratum (NAS) during bearer failure, allowing text messaging to continue, and deregisters the device for SMS once the bearer is successfully reestablished.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the network uses traditional bearer-based messaging, then IP messaging sessions can operate over the default bearer, but messaging capability is lost when bearer setup fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (SMS over NAS) that acts as a mediator between the control plane and user plane when the default bearer is unavailable. The SMS messages are transported through the NAS signaling link, which is maintained independently of the user data bearer, thus ensuring messaging capability continuity even when IP-based messaging fails.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the messaging parameter from IP-based protocols to SMS over NAS protocol when bearer setup fails. This parameter change allows the system to switch from the default IP messaging path to an alternative SMS-based path, maintaining adaptability while ensuring reliability during failure conditions.
2Reliability
If the network maintains control plane signaling link during bearer failure, then SMS messaging can continue, but device complexity increases due to dual registration mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic registration management system that automatically switches between normal IP-based messaging and SMS over NAS messaging based on bearer availability. The control plane dynamically registers the device for SMS messaging only when needed (during bearer failure), and deregisters when the bearer is restored, thus managing complexity adaptively rather than statically.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the SMS messaging function from the user plane and places it in the control plane. By taking out the SMS capability from the IP-based user data path and embedding it in the NAS control signaling, the system reduces the need for complex dual-path management while maintaining reliability.
3Reliability
If the network implements SMS over NAS fallback, then messaging continues during bearer failure, but network signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic checking of bearer status and conditional activation of SMS over NAS messaging. Instead of continuously maintaining both pathways, the system periodically monitors bearer availability and activates the SMS fallback only when needed, thus reducing unnecessary signaling overhead while maintaining service continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by activating SMS over NAS messaging only for the duration and scope of the bearer failure. Rather than continuously using SMS for all messaging, the system uses it partially and temporarily only when the IP bearer is unavailable, minimizing signaling overhead while ensuring service continuity during the failure period.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments include a wireless communication network that comprises a control plane and a user plane. The user plane supports a multimedia bearer for a wireless user device. In response to multimedia bearer failure for the user device, the control plane registers the wireless user device for control plane messaging. The control plane exchanges text messages with the user device over a signaling link of the control plane. In response to establishment of the multimedia bearer for the wireless user device, the control plane deregisters the wireless user device for control plane messaging. The control plane directs the wireless user device to register with a multimedia system for service over the multimedia bearer.