Distributed Mobility Management for Wireless Terminals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mobile-edge computing (MEC) technologies have not satisfactorily addressed mobility management of terminal devices, leading to inefficiencies in communication and latency.

Innovation Solution

A distributed mobility management system is implemented, where the mobility management functions of the MME and HSS are distributed closer to the user, utilizing a layered structure of management devices and a coordinator to manage terminal devices based on their mobility and application characteristics, reducing overhead and latency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If mobility management functions are centralized in traditional MME and HSS, then system complexity is reduced, but communication latency increases and mobility management efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication latencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the centralized MME and HSS functions into distributed management devices deployed at different network locations (access networks, edge networks, core network). Each management device handles mobility management for local terminal devices, dividing the monolithic system into modular components that reduce communication latency while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to mobility management by deploying management devices across multiple network layers (access network level, edge network level, core network level). This multi-dimensional deployment allows terminal devices to be managed by the nearest appropriate management device, reducing latency without requiring complete decentralization that would increase complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If mobility management is distributed closer to users, then communication efficiency improves, but system complexity and coordination overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidcoordination overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces coordination mechanisms that act as intermediaries between distributed management devices. These coordination functions manage the interactions and information exchange between management devices at different network levels, reducing the coordination overhead by providing standardized protocols and centralized coordination for specific functions while maintaining distributed mobility management benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If traditional centralized mobility management is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but mobility management precision and adaptability to different terminal characteristics deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemobility management precisionVSAvoidmanagement structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by enabling each distributed management device to independently manage mobility for terminal devices in its local area with precision tailored to local conditions. Management devices can adapt their behavior based on local network characteristics, terminal device types, and service requirements, achieving high mobility management precision without requiring a complex centralized control structure for every decision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3313106B1System and method to manage terminal devices
Publication Date: 2021.04.28 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3313106B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3313106B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3313106B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

[Object] To provide a system, a method, and a terminal device capable of performing mobility management of a terminal in a distributed manner. [Solution] A system including a plurality of management devices configured to manage information of one or more terminal devices positioned in management areas. The plurality of management devices have a layered structure in which the management area of the management device in an upper layer includes the management area of the management device in a lower layer.