Cellular Network Load Balancing via Area Update Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for transferring signal traffic in cellular telecommunications networks, such as from a Mobile Switching Centre or Serving GPRS Support Node, often result in disruptions or require code space reduction, as they lack information on the original node's identity during load transfer.
Innovation Solution
The method involves sending an area update message with first node identification information to a terminal, which then requests an area update including this information, allowing the second node to identify and route the request to the first node, thereby transferring signal traffic without disruption and maintaining code space integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If signal traffic is transferred from one node to another for load balancing or maintenance, then the load on the first node is reduced, but the terminal experiences service disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The network performs preliminary actions by sending an area update message to the terminal before the actual load transfer occurs. This message includes a non-broadcast area identifier that contains the first node's identification information, preparing the terminal in advance for the seamless handover and preventing service disruption during the transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-broadcast area identifier acts as an intermediary mechanism that carries the first node's identification information to the terminal. This intermediary enables the terminal to maintain connection information about the original node while being served by a different node, thus ensuring service continuity during load transfer.
2Productivity
If existing load transfer methods are used, then traffic can be redirected to a second node, but code space is reduced by removing bits from the TMSI or P-TMSI
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the first node's identification information from the TMSI or P-TMSI code space by utilizing the non-broadcast area identifier instead. This extraction preserves the original code space for terminal identification while separately carrying the node identification information needed for load transfer, avoiding the need to remove bits from the TMSI or P-TMSI.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves the node identification information to a different dimension - the area identifier field - rather than encoding it within the TMSI or P-TMSI code space. This dimensional separation allows load transfer functionality to be added without consuming or reducing the terminal identification code space.
3Ease of manufacture
If a node is stopped for maintenance or replacement, then the node can be restored or upgraded, but signal traffic must be transferred elsewhere which complicates the process
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal performs self-service by autonomously using the non-broadcast area identifier to identify and connect to the first node. This eliminates the need for complex network-controlled handover procedures, simplifying the load transfer process and enabling straightforward node maintenance and restoration operations.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~4a
Figure 2b~4b
AI summary
A method of and system for reducing load on a first node (2; 16) in a cellular telecommunications network. The network sends to a terminal an area update message to cause the terminal to request a location area or routing area or combined routing area or tracking area update from the network, and also sends to the terminal second node identification information from which an address of a second node (30; 31) can be identified. The terminal then sends a request for an update, the request including said second node identification information, and the network receiving the request and using said second node identification information to route the request to the second node (30; 31). The area update message also includes first node identification information and the update request including said first node identification information. The second node using said first node identification information to identify an address of the first node (30; 31). The first node identification information might be a Location Area Identity, a Routing Area Identity or a Tracking Area Identity. First and Second nodes might be Mobile Switching Centres (2, 30) or Serving GPRS Support Nodes (16, 31).