Base Station Restart Count for Mobile State Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mobile communication systems using the IEEE 802.16 protocol, when the CPU of a base station is reset or experiences an unexpected error, the mobile stations may continue transmitting data without knowing the CPU has been restarted, leading to a loss of connection, state, and configuration information, resulting in a need for effective state synchronization between the base station and mobile stations.
Innovation Solution
A method is implemented where the base station increments a restart count value upon CPU restart and broadcasts this information to mobile stations, which then compare this value to a previously stored value. If different, the mobile stations perform a network entry procedure to maintain state synchronization, using messages like BS_RESET_IND, DCD with a restart count TLV field, or DLFP with a restart count field to ensure synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the base station CPU is reset without notifying mobile stations, then the base station can recover from errors or perform maintenance, but the mobile stations continue transmitting data unaware of the reset, causing loss of connection and state synchronization
Solution Approach 1:
The base station transmits the restart count value to mobile stations before or during the CPU reset operation. This preliminary notification allows mobile stations to prepare for the upcoming reset and initiate appropriate procedures to maintain state synchronization, preventing information loss that would occur with unexpected resets
Solution Approach 2:
The restart count value serves as a feedback mechanism that informs mobile stations about the base station's reset status. By continuously monitoring this count value, mobile stations can detect when a reset has occurred and take corrective actions to resynchronize their state information with the base station
2Reliability
If mobile stations perform network entry procedure every time base station CPU is reset, then state synchronization is maintained, but communication overhead and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical network entry procedure with a simpler comparison operation of the restart count value. Instead of performing a full network entry procedure, mobile stations only need to compare the received restart count with their stored value to detect resets, significantly reducing the time and overhead required while maintaining synchronization reliability
3Reliability
If the base station transmits restart count information to mobile stations, then mobile stations can detect and adapt to CPU restarts, but communication overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential restart count information from the base station and transmits it to mobile stations, rather than transmitting complete state synchronization data. This extraction approach maintains the ability to detect and adapt to CPU restarts while minimizing communication overhead by sending only the critical notification data needed
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method for state synchronization between a base station and a mobile station in a mobile communication system. A count value indicative of a state change of the base station is received. The received current count value is compared with a previous count value previously received and stored. If the current count value is different from the previous count value, the mobile station performs a network entry procedure with the base station.