Anchor Node Interface for Reducing Core Network Signaling Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing radio communications systems face increased signaling load due to frequent handovers of user equipment (UE) between base stations, leading to a sharp rise in core network signaling load, especially with denser deployments of base stations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where a serving node establishes an interface with an anchor node, allowing the radio connection to terminate at the anchor node, thereby reducing the need for interface changes during handovers and minimizing signaling load by splitting RRC message processing between the serving and anchor nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If base stations are densely deployed to increase system capacity, then user coverage and system capacity are improved, but signaling load of the core network increases sharply due to frequent handovers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the base station functionality into serving node functions (handled by serving base station) and anchor node functions (handled by anchor base station). This segmentation allows handovers to be performed at the serving node level without requiring core network signaling, thus enabling dense deployment while controlling signaling load.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an anchor node as an intermediary between the serving node and the core network. The anchor node maintains the S1 interface connection with the MME and SGW, acting as a mediator that absorbs the impact of handovers. When UE moves between serving nodes under the same anchor node, the intermediary anchor node handles the transition without involving the core network, thereby reducing signaling load.
2Reliability
If serving node changes during handover, then radio connection is maintained, but interface changes between serving node and core network are required, increasing signaling load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the base station into serving node functions and anchor node functions. The anchor node maintains the S1 interface connection with the core network, while the serving node handles radio access. This segmentation allows the serving node to change during handover without requiring the anchor node or core network interface to change, thus maintaining radio connection while reducing interface complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor node serves as an intermediary that maintains the stable connection to the core network. When handover occurs between serving nodes, the intermediary anchor node absorbs the interface stability requirement, allowing serving nodes to be exchanged without triggering core network interface changes, thereby reducing signaling complexity.
3Reliability
If MME sends paging messages to all base stations in a tracking area, then user reachability is ensured, but signaling load of the core network increases sharply
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor node acts as an intermediary for paging message distribution. Instead of the MME sending paging messages to all base stations in a tracking area, the MME sends paging messages only to anchor nodes. The anchor nodes then distribute these messages to their respective serving nodes, reducing core network signaling load while ensuring user reachability is maintained through the intermediary distribution mechanism.
Data Source
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Figure 3B
AI summary
The present invention provides an interface establishing method. The method includes: sending, by a serving node, first instruction information to an anchor node, where the first instruction information is used to instruct to establish a first interface between the serving node and the anchor node (S201); and receiving, by the serving node, response information sent by the anchor node in response to the first instruction information (S202); or receiving, by a serving node, first instruction information sent by an anchor node, where the first instruction information is used to instruct to establish a first interface; and sending, by the serving node, response information to the anchor node in response to the first instruction information. According to the present invention, a radio connection between a terminal and a serving node can terminate at an anchor node. When the terminal changes the serving node of a same anchor node, an interface of the terminal does not need to be changed, thereby reducing signaling load of a core network caused by handover.