eNB Reduced Context for Local Paging in LTE Core Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LTE networks face capacity bottlenecks and performance issues due to high signaling loads caused by frequent Service Request executions, primarily affecting the Serving Gateway (SGW) and Mobility Management Entity (MME), leading to potential network outages.
Innovation Solution
The method involves an evolved NodeB (eNB) that reduces signaling by releasing and storing a reduced UE context, allowing local paging and reconfiguration of Radio Resource Control (RRC) connections, thereby hiding signaling from the SGW and MME, and managing transitions between connected and idle modes without notifying the core network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the eNB releases and stores a reduced UE context to enable local paging, then the signaling load on the SGW and MME is reduced, but the device complexity at the eNB increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UE context is segmented into a reduced context that is stored at the eNB and a full context that remains at the MME. The reduced context contains only the essential information needed for local paging operations, while the full context is maintained for complete UE state management. This segmentation allows the eNB to perform local paging without requiring full context information, thereby reducing signaling to the core network while distributing the complexity burden.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of context storage by maintaining context information at multiple levels (eNB and MME) rather than a single centralized location. This dimensional distribution of context information enables the eNB to independently perform paging operations using locally stored reduced context, reducing the need for core network involvement in routine paging while maintaining overall system coordination.
2Productivity
If the eNB performs local paging without notifying the core network, then network performance is improved, but the risk of losing synchronization with the core network increases
Solution Approach 1:
The eNB implements feedback mechanisms to the MME regarding UE state changes and paging operations performed locally. When the UE transitions between connected and idle states, the eNB provides updates to the MME to maintain synchronization of UE context information. This feedback ensures that the core network remains aware of UE states even though routine paging operations are handled locally, preventing loss of synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
The eNB performs preliminary actions by storing the reduced UE context in advance before core network involvement is needed. This pre-stored context enables the eNB to immediately perform local paging operations without requiring real-time communication with the MME, improving response time and network performance while maintaining the ability to synchronize with the core network when necessary.
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus in telecommunications, and particularly to reducing signaling in a core network involved in changes of states of a wireless terminal(4). According to the disclosure a reduced context is allocated based on parameters received by a base station (2). The reduced context is used by the base station for reconfiguring a RRC connection between the wireless terminal (4) and the base station (2) by means of the reduced context, such that the signaling is hidden from a Serving GateWay, SGW (10).