Cell Management in Separated User Control Plane Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

In heterogeneous network deployment scenarios, there is no effective solution for managing cells controlled by a local node when the user plane is separated from the control plane, particularly in LTE-A systems using carrier aggregation technology.

Innovation Solution

A Macro eNB notifies a local eNB to manage cells controlled by the local eNB, enabling the local eNB to receive configuration information and perform management tasks such as adding, deleting, or modifying secondary cells, and selecting or changing the primary cell, thus facilitating cell management across the network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the user plane is separated from the control plane in heterogeneous network deployment, then data transmission continuity is improved, but cell management capability at local node is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission continuityVSAvoidcell management capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a remote node as an intermediary that maintains control plane functions including cell management. The remote node receives signaling from the serving eNB and manages cells controlled by the local eNB, enabling the local eNB to focus on user plane data transmission while cell management capabilities are preserved through the intermediary remote node

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If frequent switching operations are performed between Macro cell and Local cell, then network coverage flexibility is improved, but data transmission interruption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork coverage flexibilityVSAvoiddata transmission continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the network functions by separating user plane handling at the local eNB from control plane management at the remote node. This segmentation allows the UE to maintain a stable control plane connection while utilizing flexible user plane resources, enabling network coverage adaptation without causing transmission interruptions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If bearer separation is implemented between user plane and control plane, then data transmission stability is improved, but cell management solution for local node is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission stabilityVSAvoidcell management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The remote node serves as an intermediary that handles control plane functions including cell management for cells controlled by the local eNB. This resolves the complexity issue by providing a dedicated management entity while maintaining the stability benefits of bearer separation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3364702B1Method and device for cell management
Publication Date: 2023.10.25 DATANG MOBILE COMM EQUIP CO LTD
  • EP3364702B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3364702B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3364702B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~6A

AI summary

The embodiments of the application relate to the technical field of wireless communications, especially relate to a method and device for cell management, which are used to manage the cells under the local node in the hierarchical network deployments scene of segregation of user plane and control plane. The method of the embodiments of the application includes: a user equipment receives a notification of managing cells controlled by a connected local eNB from a network side; and the user equipment manages the cells controlled by the local eNB according to the received notification.