Access Network Node Prioritizing Public Safety PLMN Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication networks face challenges in prioritizing communications for government and public safety users over commercial users, especially during disasters, and in efficiently configuring networks for shared RAN usage between these user groups.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an access network node with dual communication interfaces connected to both a governmental and a commercial core network, allowing it to forward Non-Access Stratum messages and prioritize access for governmental users over commercial users in response to disaster conditions or increased load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If RAN sharing is implemented between governmental and commercial PLMNs, then resource utilization and network efficiency are improved, but the ability to prioritize governmental users during disasters deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The access network node dynamically adjusts access control policies based on disaster condition status. During normal conditions, both PLMNs can access the RAN sharing resources. When a disaster is detected, the system transitions to restrict access for commercial PLMNs while maintaining access for governmental PLMNs, thus adapting the network behavior to ensure priority for governmental users.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes access control parameters (such as allowed PLMN lists, access barring factors, or QoS parameters) based on the operational state. By modifying these parameters in response to disaster conditions, the network maintains efficient resource sharing during normal operation while ensuring prioritization for governmental users during emergencies.
2Reliability
If access control mechanisms are added to prioritize governmental users, then reliability for governmental communications is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The access network node is designed to serve multiple PLMNs (both governmental and commercial) through a single unified structure. By implementing multi-functionality to handle different PLMN types and disaster conditions within the same node, the system avoids the need for separate dedicated networks, thereby limiting the increase in complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The access network node acts as an intermediary between governmental and commercial PLMNs, managing access control and prioritization policies. This mediator role allows the system to implement complex access control logic in a centralized manner, simplifying the overall architecture compared to having separate control mechanisms for each PLMN type.
3Reliability
If the RAN node restricts access during disasters, then governmental communication reliability is improved, but commercial user connectivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The access restriction mechanism applies partial action by selectively restricting access only for commercial PLMNs while maintaining full access for governmental PLMNs during disasters. This partial restriction approach ensures that the harmful impact on commercial users is minimized while still achieving the primary goal of protecting governmental communication reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
An access network node (12) is connected to a first core network (15) of a first Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) (10) and to a second core network (25) of a second PLMN (20). In response to a disaster condition being applied to an area to which a cell of the access network node (12) belongs or in response to an increase in load on the first core network, the access network node (12) restricts access to the cell from User Equipments (UEs) (32) using the second core network (25) and prioritizes access to the cell from UEs (31) using the first core network (15). This allows, for example, users of one PLMN to have priority over users of another PLMN to use a shared radio access network when necessary, such as in the event of a disaster.