User Equipment Congestion Management via Control Channel Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mobile telecommunications systems, user equipment (UE) faces challenges in efficiently handling network congestion, leading to battery drain and increased uplink interference due to repeated connection attempts and prolonged wait times in congested states, especially in densely populated areas or busy times, without explicit indications of RRC states for UE to wait in.
Innovation Solution
The UE employs a method to monitor shared control channels for congestion indications, re-attempt connections only when congestion is resolved, and move to a radio off state when congestion is determined to be at the lower network layers, thereby reducing battery consumption and uplink interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UE repeatedly attempts connection in congested network, then connection establishment probability increases, but battery consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The UE performs preliminary monitoring of shared control channels for congestion indications before attempting connection establishment. By detecting congestion indicators (such as RRC connection reject messages or system information blocks indicating congestion) in advance, the UE can avoid initiating connection attempts during congested periods, thereby preventing unnecessary battery consumption while maintaining connection establishment probability during non-congested periods
Solution Approach 2:
The UE implements periodic monitoring of the shared control channel to detect congestion indications at scheduled intervals rather than continuously. This periodic approach allows the UE to balance between detecting congestion conditions timely and conserving battery power by keeping the radio receiver off between monitoring intervals, thus resolving the contradiction between connection reliability and energy consumption
2Loss of time
If UE waits in pseudo CELL_FACH state during congestion, then connection attempts are delayed, but battery power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the UE from the pseudo CELL_FACH state during congestion conditions and places it in a deeper sleep state (RRC idle or radio off state). By taking out the UE from the power-consuming pseudo CELL_FACH state and relocating it to a lower-power state while still monitoring for congestion release indications, the solution achieves connection delay without the penalty of high battery power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The UE dynamically changes its operational state parameters based on detected congestion conditions. When congestion is detected, the UE transitions from pseudo CELL_FACH state to a lower-power state, adjusting parameters such as receiver duty cycle and monitoring frequency. This parameter change allows the UE to balance connection delay requirements with battery power conservation by adapting its state based on network conditions
3Loss of energy
If UE monitors shared control channels for congestion indications, then unnecessary connection attempts are reduced, but monitoring overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UE utilizes the shared control channel monitoring for multiple purposes: detecting congestion indications, receiving system information updates, and identifying connection opportunities. By making the monitoring function multi-functional, the invention reduces the need for separate dedicated monitoring mechanisms, thereby minimizing the increase in monitoring overhead while achieving the benefit of reduced unnecessary connection attempts
Solution Approach 2:
The congestion detection mechanism leverages the existing shared control channel infrastructure and message formats already present in the network. The UE uses standard RRC messages and system information blocks that are already being transmitted by the network for other purposes, extracting congestion information from these existing signals without requiring additional dedicated monitoring channels or increased network overhead
4Reliability
If UE sends connection requests during congestion, then connection establishment may succeed, but uplink interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UE implements feedback-based transmission control by monitoring shared control channels for congestion indications and using this feedback to modulate its connection attempt behavior. When congestion indicators are detected, the UE suppresses or delays uplink connection requests; when congestion is released, the UE resumes normal connection attempts. This feedback mechanism allows connection establishment to proceed when possible while minimizing uplink interference during congested periods
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for handling congestion in a mobile telecommunications system is described, the method comprising, at the user equipment monitoring messages from a cell for an indication of congestion and handing the congestion in a battery and signaling efficient manner. By one approach this comprises sending a first message to a cell, receiving a rejection (or failing to receive an acknowledgement of the message) within a period and in response, monitoring messages from the cell for an indication of congestion.