Base Station Access Control for Home PLMN Selection in Network Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In network sharing scenarios, particularly in LTE mobile communications systems, users face challenges in timely selection of their home operator, leading to overloading of certain operators and inefficient load distribution, especially when core network nodes become overloaded or reach subscription limits.
Innovation Solution
An access control method that involves a base station and mobility management entity, where user equipment sends a temporary identifier and PLMN available indication, allowing the base station to determine the serving mobility management entity and redirect the user equipment to register with its home PLMN, thereby enabling early selection and load balancing across operators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If user equipment selects a previously registered mobility management entity as serving MME during access process, then the access procedure is simple and fast, but in network sharing scenario the subscriber cannot select the home operator in a timely manner leading to operator overload
Solution Approach 1:
The base station performs preliminary identification of the user's home operator and serving MME before the user completes the access procedure. The serving MME is determined in advance based on the temporary identifier and PLMN available indication, so when the user needs service, the correct MME is already ready to handle the request, avoiding both delays and overload.
Solution Approach 2:
The base station acts as an intermediary that receives the temporary identifier and PLMN available indication from user equipment, identifies the home operator and serving MME, and then forwards the service request to the correct MME. This intermediary function resolves the contradiction by ensuring proper routing without requiring the user to manually select operators.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the base station broadcasts a list of supported operators, then users can see available operators, but when core network node is overloaded subsequent access cannot be controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback control where the base station monitors the load status of core network nodes and dynamically adjusts access control based on this feedback. When overload is detected, the base station can identify and redirect users to appropriate serving MMEs or control their access, preventing system collapse while maintaining operator list visibility for users.
Solution Approach 2:
The access control mechanism transitions from static (always allowing access to broadcasted operators) to dynamic (adapting access control based on real-time network load conditions). The base station dynamically determines whether to allow access to the serving MME based on current network status, enabling overload protection while maintaining flexibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If roaming subscribers access a shared network, then network sharing is achieved, but load sharing cannot be performed among multiple operators causing first operator to be overloaded
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the network access control by operator and MME, allowing different roaming subscribers to be directed to different home operators and serving MMEs based on their temporary identifiers. This segmentation enables load distribution across multiple operators while maintaining the shared network infrastructure, preventing any single operator from being overloaded.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an access control method, a base station, user equipment, and a mobility management entity, where the access control method includes: receiving, by the base station, a temporary identifier and a PLMN available indication that are of the UE and sent by the UE; receiving a service request message sent by the UE, and determining a serving MME of the UE according to a GMMEI in the temporary identifier of the UE; and sending the service request message and the PLMN available indication to the serving MME of the UE, so that the serving MME of the UE sends a redirection indication, and the UE registers with an HPLMN of the UE. Therefore, in a network sharing scenario, the UE can select the home PLMN of the UE as a serving PLMN of the UE as early as possible.