Apparatus and methods for managing access and update requests in a wireless network

US8488507B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Apple Inc. · US

Inventors

• Achim Luft · Braunschweig, DE
• Maik Bienas · Braunschweig, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 31, 2012
• Grant date: Jul 16, 2013
• Expiry date: Aug 31, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04W74/002
• WIPO field: Digital communication
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

Methods and apparatus that enable a wireless network to detect and manage impending congestion events caused by a plurality of mobile devices attempting to access the network in a brief space of time. In one embodiment, the network comprises a 3g (UMTS) cellular network, and includes a congestion management and avoidance entity that preemptively triggers a collision mode upon detecting an impending congestion event. This mode advantageously reduces processing burden on the base station by causing the mobile devices (UEs) to halt current access attempts, and invoke a multiple access scheme (e.g., wait a random amount of time before attempting further access attempts). The comparatively early detection and avoidance of collisions reduces the mobile device's power consumption, while addressing congestion events early in the wireless communication process so as to maintain optimal network conditions.