Base Station MME Selection Using Priority Information
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current MME selection methods in LTE/SAE networks lack flexibility, failing to meet operator requirements and leading to suboptimal network management due to insufficient differentiation between local and backup MME pools.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where the base station receives RRC connection requests and acquires priority information to select an MME from multiple pools, prioritizing local MMEs over backup pools when available, ensuring that signaling flows only to the local pool unless it is faulty, thereby optimizing resource usage and improving network management flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the base station selects MME according to identification information carried in UE information (S-TMSI or GUMMEI), then the MME selection follows standard procedures, but when MME overload or S1 link fault occurs, the selection cannot be adjusted flexibly to meet operator requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces priority levels as a new parameter for MME selection. Instead of relying solely on identification information from UE, the base station now considers the priority level of each MME (first priority for normal operation, second priority for backup). This parameter change enables flexible adaptation to different network conditions and operator requirements without fundamentally changing the selection mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the MME selection process dynamic by allowing the base station to adjust selection criteria based on real-time network conditions. When the local MME pool is available, MMEs from the backup pool are excluded; when local MMEs are unavailable, the base station can then select from the backup pool. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between flexibility and complexity.
2Reliability
If the base station connects to both local MME pool and backup MME pool, then network reliability is improved, but resource occupation in backup pools increases unnecessarily when local pools are available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating between local and backup MME pools with distinct priority levels. The base station preferentially selects MMEs from the local pool (first priority) when they are available, and only uses the backup pool (second priority) when local MMEs are unavailable. This localized preference reduces unnecessary resource occupation in backup pools while maintaining the reliability benefits of having both pools connected.
3Adaptability or versatility
If MME selection is performed without priority information, then the selection process is simple, but it cannot meet operator requirements for differentiated service and network management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring priority levels for different MME pools before the selection process. The base station is pre-configured with knowledge of which MMEs belong to the local pool (first priority) and which belong to the backup pool (second priority). This preliminary configuration enables the base station to automatically make appropriate selections without complex real-time decisions, thus meeting operator requirements while maintaining operational simplicity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, an apparatus, and a system for selecting an MME. The method includes: receiving, by a base station, an RRC connection request of user equipment; acquiring priority information of multiple MMEs connected to the base station; and selecting a serving MME for the user equipment from the multiple MMEs according to the acquired priority information. It can be seen that an eNB selects an MME according to priorities of MMEs, the priorities of the MMEs can be pre-configured, and, when configuring the priorities, requirements in different scenarios can be considered and different priorities can be configured for different MMEs, and therefore, the MME selected by the base station is more compliant with the requirements in different scenarios, and flexibility of network management is improved.