Anchor eNodeB Packet Forwarding During Self-Backhauled Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
In LTE wireless communication systems, self-backhauling introduces inefficiencies in packet forwarding during handover processes due to unnecessary overhead on radio backhaul links and inefficient routing via the Serving Gateway (S-GW).
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where the anchor eNodeB communicates with a self-backhauled eNodeB to detect handover events and autonomously forward packets, potentially breaking out X2 traffic to avoid S-GW routing by integrating S-GW functionality and using separate bearers for X2 traffic, thereby optimizing packet routing and reducing overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If packets are routed via the Serving Gateway (S-GW) during handover in a self-backhauled cell, then packet delivery is ensured through standard routing, but routing efficiency deteriorates due to unnecessary indirect routing and overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the packet forwarding function from the standard S-GW routing path and implements it directly at the eNodeB level. During handover, the source eNodeB forwards packets directly to the target eNodeB via the X2 interface, bypassing the S-GW for these specific handover-related packets, thus eliminating unnecessary indirect routing while maintaining reliable delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a direct X2 interface communication channel between source and target eNodeBs as an intermediary path for handover packet forwarding. This dedicated forwarding path acts as a mediator that enables efficient direct packet transfer during handover, avoiding the need to route through the S-GW while ensuring reliable delivery
2Device complexity
If standard S-GW routing is used for all packets, then network architecture simplicity is maintained, but overhead increases due to unnecessary routing through the core network
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the packet routing path based on traffic type and handover state. Handover-related packets are routed directly between eNodeBs via X2 interface, while other traffic continues to use the standard S-GW path. This segmentation reduces overhead for handover packets without fundamentally changing the overall network architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local optimization at the eNodeB level by implementing direct packet forwarding functionality specifically for handover scenarios. This local quality enhancement allows efficient packet forwarding where needed (during handover) while maintaining the standard architecture for other operations, thus reducing overhead without compromising architecture simplicity
Data Source
AI summary
A method is implemented in an anchor eNodeB of a network, where the anchor eNodeB communicates with a self-backhauled eNodeB via a radio interface and where the network further includes another eNodeB. The method includes determining whether a user equipment (UE) is being handed off from the first self-backhauled eNodeB to the other eNodeB. The determining is based on: receiving (820) a message from the self-backhauled eNodeB via the radio interface instructing the anchor eNodeB to stop delivering packets that are destined for the UE, or sniffing (1 105, 1 1 10, 1 1 15) into one or more messages sent from the self-backhauled eNodeB to the other eNodeB to identify that the UE is being handed off from the self-backhauled eNodeB to the other eNodeB. The method further includes storing (1 120), based on the determination of whether the UE is being handed off, received packets intended for the UE: and forwarding (1 120) the stored packets to the other eNodeB via a transport network for delivery to the UE.