Tiered Paging Mechanism for MME Overload Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless networks, particularly in LTE systems, mobile stations in idle mode receive frequent and unnecessary downlink data notifications, leading to overload conditions for mobility management entities (MMEs), which can result in failure to page UEs during emergency events and inefficient resource allocation.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a tiered paging mechanism using bearer priority values and Bearer Paging Priority (BPP) thresholds to selectively manage downlink data notifications, allowing MMEs to prioritize emergency services and regulate the frequency of notifications based on packet priority, thereby reducing the load on overloaded MMEs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If downlink data notifications are sent frequently to mobile stations in idle mode, then packet delivery can be ensured, but MME overload occurs and resource allocation becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces Bearer Paging Priority (BPP) parameters with different threshold values to control downlink data notification behavior. By changing the parameter thresholds dynamically based on bearer priority, the system adjusts notification frequency to balance reliability and MME load, preventing overload while ensuring critical packets are delivered.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different notification strategies to different bearers based on their priority levels. High-priority bearers receive immediate notifications while low-priority bearers use threshold-based suppression. This local differentiation allows the system to maintain reliable delivery for critical services while reducing overall notification frequency to prevent MME overload.
2Reliability
If all downlink data notifications are sent to mobile stations, then no packets are lost, but unnecessary notifications consume network resources and cause MME overload
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses BPP threshold parameters to control notification sending. When the number of buffered packets exceeds the threshold, notifications are sent; otherwise, they are suppressed. This parameter-based control reduces unnecessary notifications and network resource consumption while maintaining reliable delivery when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by selectively sending notifications only when necessary (when packet count exceeds BPP threshold). Instead of sending all possible notifications, the system sends only the partial set required to maintain reliability, thereby reducing energy consumption and network resource usage.
3Reliability
If MME processes all downlink data notifications, then all packets are delivered timely, but during overload conditions even emergency events may fail to page UEs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns different BPP threshold values to different bearers based on their priority. Critical services with higher priority have lower thresholds that trigger notifications earlier, ensuring they are delivered even during overload. Lower priority services have higher thresholds and are suppressed during overload conditions. This local quality differentiation ensures emergency events are handled reliably while the system adapts to overload conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
During overload conditions, the system performs partial action by selectively processing only high-priority notifications while suppressing low-priority ones. The BPP mechanism enables the MME to focus resources on critical paging operations, ensuring emergency events are paged successfully even when overall system load is high.
Data Source
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AI summary
Prioritization of data traffic is a common technique for providing enhanced quality of service (QoS), allowing some traffic to reach its destination on an expedited basis without being obstructed or delayed by other lower-priority traffic. A mechanism is disclosed using the bearer architecture of the evolved packet core (EPC) to provide prioritization of traffic from specific packet data networks (PDNs), as well as over specific bearers. The priority information is requested by the mobile management entity (MME), which is commonly overloaded with traffic to and from multiple users and PDNs. In addition, a mechanism is provided for reducing the frequency of unwanted paging notifications for MMEs that are overloaded.