Dynamic Tracking Area Identity Provisioning for Small Cell Paging
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Solution Overview
Problem
The inability to predict the location of small cells in cellular wireless networks complicates zone-based paging, leading to excessive signaling and potential network overload due to the unpredictable number of base stations in tracking areas, which can exceed the paging capacity limits of mobility management entities (MMEs) or switches.
Innovation Solution
The system dynamically provisions small cells with a tracking area identity (TAI) based on the paging capabilities of the MME or switch, creating a new tracking area and TAI if the existing one exceeds the threshold number of base stations, and provides a tracking area list to the small cell to manage efficient paging by broadcasting multiple TAI's to UEs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If small cells are dynamically deployed in cellular wireless networks, then network coverage and capacity are improved, but the number of base stations in tracking areas becomes unpredictable and may exceed MME paging capacity limits
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by dynamically determining and provisioning a tracking area identity (TAI) for small cells before they begin operating. The mobility management entity (MME) proactively assigns a TAI based on the small cell's location and the current number of base stations in potential tracking areas, preventing the risk of exceeding paging capacity limits before it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies dynamics by making the TAI assignment process adaptive and flexible. The MME dynamically determines which TAI to assign to a small cell based on real-time conditions, including the number of base stations already in various tracking areas and the small cell's geographic location. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to changing network conditions and maintain reliable paging capacity.
2Productivity
If zone-based paging is used with fixed tracking area assignments, then paging efficiency is maintained, but the system cannot adapt to unpredictable small cell locations and numbers of base stations per area
Solution Approach 1:
The system transforms the static tracking area assignment into a dynamic process. Instead of using fixed TAI assignments, the MME now dynamically determines the appropriate TAI for each small cell based on real-time network conditions. This maintains paging efficiency while adding adaptability, as the system can adjust TAI assignments according to the actual number of base stations and network load conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of TAI assignment from fixed to variable. The MME modifies the TAI parameter dynamically based on the number of base stations in different tracking areas and the small cell's location. This parameter change enables the system to adapt to varying network conditions while maintaining efficient zone-based paging operations.
3Area of stationary object
If the number of base stations in a tracking area increases beyond threshold, then network coverage is expanded, but the MME paging capacity is exceeded causing network overload
Solution Approach 1:
The system takes preliminary action by monitoring the number of base stations in each tracking area and proactively assigning a different TAI to small cells when a threshold is approached. This prevents the MME from being overloaded by distributing small cells across multiple tracking areas with different TAIs before the overload condition occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies segmentation by dividing the tracking area management into separate TAI groups. When a tracking area approaches its capacity limit, the system creates a new TAI assignment for small cells in that area, effectively segmenting the overloaded area into manageable portions with different TAIs, thereby preventing network overload.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and systems for managing paging congestion are described. A RAN may receive data indicating that a base station located at a particular geographic location is registering with the RAN. Responsive to receiving the data, the RAN may make a determination of whether a number of base stations in a particular tracking area that corresponds with the particular geographic location is greater than a threshold number of base stations. And responsive to making a determination that the number of base stations is greater than the threshold number of base station: the RAN may create a new tracking area having a new tracking area identity (TAI), the RAN may provision the base station with the new TAI rather than the particular TAI, and the RAN may provide the base station with a tracking area list that includes both the new TAI and a particular TAI identifying the particular tracking area.