Access Node MME Information Acquisition for X2 Handover

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless cellular communication systems, particularly in hierarchical architectures, the final access nodes lack information about the Mobility Management Entity (MME) to which the terminal accesses, hindering efficient handover processes and X2 handover capabilities.

Innovation Solution

The method involves the upper level access node notifying the final access node of the MME information during initial access and handover processes, using signaling messages such as initial context setup requests and handover requests, allowing the final access node to record and utilize this information for X2 handover initiation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the hierarchical architecture is adopted for access network deployment, then the network coverage and service capacity are improved, but the final access node cannot acquire the MME information which is necessary for handover operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork coverageVSAvoidMME information
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The upper level access node serves as an intermediary that forwards MME information from the core network to the final access node. When the upper level access node receives initial context setup request or handover request messages from the MME, it extracts the MME information and includes it in the corresponding signaling messages sent to the final access node, thereby enabling the final access node to acquire the necessary MME information without direct connection to the core network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the final access node lacks MME information, then the hierarchical architecture can be maintained with simplified final node design, but the X2 handover capability and network transition efficiency are degraded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefinal access node complexityVSAvoidhandover efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The MME information is provided to the final access node in advance during the initial context setup phase or before handover operations. By including the MME information in the initial context setup request message or handover request message received from the upper level access node, the final access node is prepared with the necessary information beforehand, enabling efficient X2 handovers without needing to maintain complex direct core network connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2464164B1Method for information transmission and access node
Publication Date: 2021.03.17 ZTE CORP
  • EP2464164B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2464164B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2464164B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention discloses a method for information transmission, the method including: in a process of a terminal initial accessing and/or the terminal handing over, an upper level access node belonging to a hierarchical architecture access network notifying a final access node belonging to the same hierarchical architecture access network of information of a mobility management entity (MME) to which the terminal accesses. The present invention also discloses an access node. The present invention makes the final access node acquire the information of the MME to which the terminal accesses so that the final access node can perform X2 handover via the acquired information of the MME.