Wireless Communication Back-Off Timers for Network Slice Congestion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless communication systems face inefficiencies due to interference and network congestion, leading to poor resource allocation and user experience, particularly in environments with changing network slices and data network names (DNNs), where back-off timer values are not consistently applied, causing devices to send or refrain from sending messages inappropriately.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a back-off timer mechanism that applies to both requested and granted network slices or DNNs, with optional indications provided by the network device, ensuring timely and appropriate message transmission based on expiration of the timer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If back-off timer values are not consistently applied to both requested and granted network slices/DNNs, then devices may send messages too frequently during congestion, but implementing consistent application increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the back-off timer application by creating separate timer instances for requested network slices and granted network slices/DNNs. Each timer is independently managed and tracked, allowing the system to apply back-off logic to specific slice types without affecting others. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by making the complexity manageable through modular timer management while ensuring reliable message transmission control for each slice type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by establishing back-off timers in advance for both requested and granted network slices/DNNs before congestion occurs. When a congestion notification is received, the appropriate timer is already in place and can be immediately activated. This preliminary setup ensures reliable message transmission control without requiring complex real-time decision logic, as the timer application structure is pre-configured for different slice types.
2Productivity
If devices send messages without checking back-off timer status, then message transmission is simple and fast, but network congestion and interference increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where devices continuously monitor the status of back-off timers associated with requested and granted network slices/DNNs before transmitting messages. When a congestion notification is received, the network device provides feedback by indicating which slices/DNNs should have back-off timers applied, and the UE feedbacks by checking timer status before message transmission. This feedback loop controls message transmission timing to reduce network congestion while maintaining productive communication during non-congested periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making message transmission behavior adaptive based on back-off timer status. Instead of a fixed transmission approach, the system dynamically adjusts message sending decisions based on real-time timer states. When timers are active (indicating congestion), message transmission is delayed or suppressed. When timers expire (indicating congestion relief), transmission resumes. This dynamic behavior reduces network congestion while maintaining high productivity during normal conditions.
3Productivity
If back-off timer is applied to both requested and granted network slices/DNNs, then network resource allocation improves, but device processing overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selectively applying back-off timers to specific network slices and DNNs based on congestion characteristics. Rather than applying a blanket back-off mechanism to all traffic, the system identifies which specific slices/DNNs are affected by congestion and applies timers only to those. The congestion notification indicates specific slices/DNNs, and the UE applies back-off logic locally to matching traffic flows. This targeted approach improves network resource allocation efficiency by focusing back-off control where needed while minimizing device processing energy through selective rather than universal timer management.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for wireless communication includes a memory and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to send a data session establishment request to establish a data session with a network device using a wireless communication network. The data session establishment request has a first field to indicate a requested network slice for the data session. The processor is further to receive an indication of a granted network slice for the data session and to receive an indication of a back-off timer value from the network device. The processor is further configured, after expiration of a back-off timer based on the back-off timer value, to send a first message associated with the granted network slice and to send a second message having a second field corresponding to the first field of the data session establishment request.