Base Station Core Network Selection for Overlaid PLMN Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mobile communication systems lack a clear method for appropriately selecting and connecting terminal devices to the correct core network based on their type and characteristics, particularly during tracking area updates when devices transition to idle mode and move, leading to challenges in maintaining connectivity within the same overlaid core network.

Innovation Solution

A base station device and communication control method that involves receiving tracking area update requests, redirect requests, and context responses to manage connections between terminal devices and location management devices across multiple overlaid core networks, ensuring seamless communication by selecting the appropriate core network and maintaining connectivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple overlaid core networks are configured with different location management devices, then network specialization and traffic distribution capability is improved, but the complexity of selecting and maintaining connection to the appropriate core network during terminal movement increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork specialization capabilityVSAvoidconnection management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base station acts as an intermediary that receives tracking area update requests from terminals, determines the appropriate core network based on terminal type and characteristics, and forwards requests to the correct location management device. This intermediary function simplifies the overall system by centralizing the decision-making logic at the base station level, preventing terminals from directly facing the complexity of multiple overlaid core networks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary determination of the appropriate core network before the terminal actually needs to connect or update its location. The base station pre-configures multiple location management devices and their associated core networks, and uses terminal identification information to pre-determine the correct network path, avoiding real-time complex routing decisions during active communication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If terminals connect to different core networks based on terminal type, then traffic distribution efficiency is improved, but the reliability of maintaining continuous connectivity during tracking area updates decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraffic distribution efficiencyVSAvoidconnection continuity reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the base station receives tracking area update requests from terminals, queries the appropriate location management device to determine current network status and terminal context, and adjusts the routing decision based on this feedback. This ensures that terminals maintain continuous connectivity by dynamically adapting to network conditions while preserving the benefits of traffic distribution across specialized networks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The base station is designed with multi-functional capability to handle tracking area updates for terminals of different types across multiple overlaid core networks. It universally supports identification of various terminal characteristics, determination of appropriate core networks, and maintenance of connectivity, allowing a single device to perform what would otherwise require multiple specialized devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If location management devices are separated into different core networks based on terminal characteristics, then service specialization is improved, but the difficulty of managing terminal connections across networks increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice specializationVSAvoidconnection management difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments location management devices into different core networks based on terminal characteristics and service requirements. Each location management device is responsible for specific terminal types or services, allowing specialized management while the base station coordinates across segments. This segmentation reduces the complexity each individual device must handle while maintaining overall system coherence

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11026208B2Base station device, first location management device, terminal device, communication control method, and communication system

Publication Date: 2021.06.01 SHARP KK

AI summary

This disclosure involves enabling a terminal device to connect to a core network and move in a communication system in which multiple core networks are overlaid. In some embodiments, a core network device can receive a tracking area update request message from a base station device. The core network device can transmit, to the base station device, a signaling message after receiving the tracking area update request message. The signaling message can contain information indicating a second core network, where the first core network and the second core network exist within an identical PLMN.