eNodeB Topology Determination for X2 Interface Setup

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is currently no method for an eNodeB to determine its own or another eNodeB's topology in a communication network, which is crucial for deciding the appropriate technique to establish an X2 interface.

Innovation Solution

A method where an eNodeB sends a configuration request to a configuration node to receive topology information, which includes determining its location as either Intranet or Internet-based, and optionally using Network Address Translation detection during Internet Key Exchange to ascertain if it is behind a NAT, allowing it to establish an X2 interface accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an eNodeB uses a generic interface establishment process, then the process is simple to implement, but it cannot determine the appropriate technique for establishing X2 interface based on topology location

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to select appropriate X2 interface establishment techniqueVSAvoidcomplexity of topology determination process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a configuration node as an intermediary that performs topology determination. The eNodeB sends a configuration request to this intermediary node, which then determines whether the eNodeB is located in Intranet or Internet and returns the appropriate topology information. This mediator approach allows the eNodeB to obtain topology information without implementing complex determination logic itself, thus improving adaptability while managing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs topology determination as a preliminary action before establishing the X2 interface. By determining the topology location (Intranet or Internet) in advance through the configuration node, the system prepares the necessary information beforehand, allowing the eNodeB to select the appropriate interface establishment technique without delays during the actual interface setup process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If an eNodeB determines its topology location, then it can select the appropriate X2 interface establishment process, but it requires additional configuration requests and information exchange

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorrectness of X2 interface establishmentVSAvoidtime for topology determination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The topology determination is performed as a preliminary action before X2 interface establishment. The eNodeB sends a configuration request to the configuration node, which determines the topology location (Intranet or Internet) and returns the result. This advance determination ensures correctness of the interface establishment process while minimizing time impact by completing the determination before the actual interface setup begins.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The configuration node acts as an intermediary that handles the topology determination logic centrally. This approach improves reliability by concentrating the determination expertise in a dedicated node, while the time loss is minimized through efficient request-response interaction and parallel processing capabilities of the intermediary node.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If an eNodeB is located behind NAT, then it can reduce the number of public IP addresses needed, but it requires special IPsec setup features to bypass NAT

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of public IP address utilizationVSAvoidcomplexity of IPsec configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The configuration node serves as an intermediary that provides topology information including NAT status to the eNodeB. This allows the eNodeB to understand whether it is behind NAT and select appropriate IPsec configuration features (such as NAT traversal modes) without having to implement complex NAT detection and configuration logic itself, thus improving IP address utilization efficiency while managing configuration complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of IPsec configuration based on the detected NAT condition. When the eNodeB is determined to be behind NAT, the topology information triggers appropriate IPsec parameters (such as enabling UDP encapsulation or NAT-T modes) to be applied, allowing the system to adapt to the NAT environment and efficiently use public IP addresses while maintaining secure communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8929248B2Topology determination in a communications network

Publication Date: 2015.01.06 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

There is provided a method of determining the topology of a base station in a communications network. The base stations sends a configuration request message to a configuration node, and subsequently receives from the configuration node a configuration response message, the configuration response message including topology information relating to the base station. This topology information can be used in allowing the base station to most efficiently set up a communication with another base station.