Unified Access Category System for 5G Network Traffic Prioritization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems, particularly in LTE and 5G networks, face challenges in managing access requests efficiently during overload situations due to limited establishment cause options, leading to inconsistent control of excess traffic and potential wrongful rejection of access requests.
Innovation Solution
Introducing a unified access category system that replaces the establishment cause in RRC Connection Request messages, allowing for a flexible and consistent control of access requests by using access categories that include all necessary differentiating characteristics, enabling network operators to prioritize and manage access requests effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the network uses traditional establishment cause options in RRC Connection Request messages, then the signaling format remains simple and compatible with existing protocols, but the network cannot flexibly differentiate and prioritize various types of access requests during overload situations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the access request differentiation into two parts: the access category field (4 bits) for fine-grained classification of access requests, and the establishment cause field (3 bits) for indicating the type of access. This segmentation allows the network to selectively use different fields for different prioritization scenarios, providing flexibility without requiring complete redesign of the signaling structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to access request differentiation by introducing the access category field as a separate dimension from the establishment cause field. Instead of relying solely on the traditional establishment cause, the network now has an additional dimensional parameter (access category with 4 bits = 16 possible values) to classify and prioritize access requests, enabling more granular control without compromising the existing establishment cause mechanism.
2Productivity
If the network implements fine-grained access control to prioritize specific users and services during overload, then service quality and prioritization improve, but the risk of wrongful rejection of legitimate access requests increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the network node evaluates both the access category and establishment cause of each access request, cross-referencing them against configured prioritization rules. This dual-field evaluation provides feedback validation, reducing the risk of wrongful rejections by ensuring that prioritization decisions are based on multiple consistent indicators rather than a single parameter, thereby improving both efficiency and accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter structure by introducing the access category field with 16 possible values (4 bits) alongside the traditional 3-bit establishment cause field. This parameter expansion allows the network to configure prioritization rules that map specific access category-establishment cause combinations to different priority levels, enabling more accurate and nuanced access control decisions that reduce wrongful rejections while maintaining high processing efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the network uses multiple access categories with detailed barring parameters, then the ability to control and prioritize access during overload improves, but the signaling overhead and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the access category field universal by designing it to serve multiple functions: (1) classification of access requests for prioritization, (2) input for access barring evaluation, and (3) basis for network acceptance/rejection decisions. This multi-functionality allows the same 4-bit field to replace multiple separate classification mechanisms, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatile access control capabilities across different scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic configurability where the network can flexibly assign different priorities and barring parameters to different access categories based on current network conditions and service requirements. The access category priorities and barring parameters can be dynamically adjusted without changing the underlying signaling structure, allowing the system to adapt to varying overload scenarios while maintaining a consistent and manageable mechanism complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method performed by a user equipment, UE, is disclosed. The method comprises determining (402) in response to an event (401) that triggers the UE to perform an access request to a radio access network, RAN, an access category to apply. The UE performs a barring check (403), applying the access category. Upon determining that access is not barred based on the access category, the UE sends (405) the access request to a network node in the RAN, the access request including the access category. The network node decides whether to accept or reject the access request based on the access category.