Central Node Radio Access Technology Selection for Mobile Station Distribution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current cellular radio networks face challenges in maintaining a preferred distribution of idle User Equipments (UEs) between GERAN/UTRAN and E-UTRAN, particularly in scenarios where fallback to Circuit Switched (CS) services is used, leading to inefficiencies in resource management and user experience.
Innovation Solution
Implementing explicit signaling in the radio access network to determine whether a CS call was initiated through a native CS fallback procedure, allowing the network to decide whether to keep the UE in GERAN/UTRAN or return it to E-UTRAN based on this information, and modifying node interfaces to convey this information effectively between the Mobile Switching Center and Base Station Controller/Radio Network Controller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If explicit signaling is implemented to determine whether a CS call was initiated through native CS fallback procedure, then the distribution of idle UEs between GERAN/UTRAN and E-UTRAN is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary signaling mechanism between the Mobile Switching Center and Base Station Controller/Radio Network Controller. This intermediary carries explicit information about whether a CS call was initiated through native CS fallback procedure, enabling the network to make informed decisions about UE distribution without requiring complex local analysis at each node
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the decision-making process by separating the information gathering function (at the Mobile Switching Center) from the execution function (at the Base Station Controller/Radio Network Controller). The explicit signaling divides the complex fallback detection task into manageable components, with each node performing a specific function rather than all nodes performing the entire analysis
2Productivity
If node interfaces are modified to convey CS fallback information between Mobile Switching Center and Base Station Controller/Radio Network Controller, then network performance is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances existing node interfaces to serve multiple functions: they continue to handle standard call setup and teardown procedures while simultaneously conveying explicit CS fallback procedure information. This multi-functionality allows the same interface infrastructure to support both traditional operations and the new distribution optimization capability without requiring completely new interface designs
3Productivity
If the network decides to keep UE in GERAN/UTRAN or return it to E-UTRAN based on CS fallback information, then resource allocation is improved, but the loss of information increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by determining whether a CS call was initiated through native CS fallback procedure before the UE needs to be redistributed. The explicit signaling provides this information in advance, allowing the network to proactively make optimal distribution decisions rather than reacting after mobility patterns have already developed, thereby preserving complete information about UE behavior
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
In a method in a central node of a cellular radio network the central node is adapted to deciding if a mobile station connected to the cellular radio network via a first radio access technology controlled by the central node is to be moved to another radio access technology when a circuit switched call of the mobile station is ended. It is assumed that the cellular radio network is adapted to use a fallback to circuit switched procedure. First it is decided that a CS call for a particular mobile station has ended. Then in it is checked if the CS call was the result of a fallback to CS procedure. The central node then decides if the mobile station is to be moved to another radio access technology based at least partly on the, i.e. if the CS call was a result of a CS fallback procedure.