HeNB-GW Traffic Load Reduction Indicator for MME Overload Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 3GPP LTE small cell communications networks, the Home eNodeB gateway (HeNB-GW) faces significant processing and signaling load increases when forwarding overload START/STOP messages to a large number of HeNBs, even during light MME loads, leading to performance and availability issues.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a traffic load reduction indicator that determines and modifies the percentage of network elements to which overload messages are relayed, allowing the HeNB-GW to selectively send these messages only to a subset of HeNBs based on the Traffic Load Reduction Indication IE, thereby reducing the overall processing and signaling load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the HeNB-GW forwards overload START/STOP messages to all HeNBs, then the MME overload control function is fully implemented, but the HeNB-GW processing load and S1-MME interface signaling load greatly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the HeNB population into multiple groups and selectively applies overload control messages to specific segments rather than all HeNBs. The HeNB-GW receives an overload control message from the MME and determines a subset of HeNBs to which the message should be forwarded, based on factors like HeNB ID hashing or load conditions. This segmentation reduces the processing load on HeNB-GW while maintaining effective overload control coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by forwarding overload control messages to only a portion of HeNBs rather than all of them. The HeNB-GW calculates a target percentage or number of HeNBs to receive the message, and randomly or deterministically selects that subset. This partial application of the overload control function reduces signaling load while still achieving the desired load reduction effect on the MME.
2Reliability
If the HeNB-GW sends overload START/STOP messages to tens of thousands to millions of HeNBs, then the MME overload control function is executed, but the S1-MME interface signaling load increases in a short amount of time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the large population of HeNBs into manageable segments and only sends overload control signaling to relevant segments. The HeNB-GW determines a subset of HeNBs (e.g., based on HeNB ID ranges or random selection) and forwards messages only to those. This segmentation dramatically reduces the quantity of signaling messages on the S1-MME interface while ensuring that enough HeNBs receive the control signal to achieve the desired overload management effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by sending overload control messages to only a percentage of HeNBs rather than the entire population. The HeNB-GW calculates a target number of HeNBs to notify and selectively forwards messages to that portion. This reduces the total signaling load on the S1-MME interface by a factor proportional to the percentage of HeNBs notified, while still achieving effective overload control through the selected subset.
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with one example embodiment, there is provided a method that includes determining whether a received overload message includes a traffic load reduction indication element; determining a percentage of network elements to which to relay the received overload message if the received overload message includes the traffic load reduction indication element; and selecting ones of the network elements to which to send the received overload message based on the determined percentage. The method may further include modifying the received message to change a value of the traffic load reduction indication element; and sending the modified message to the selected ones of the network elements. In some embodiments, the received overload message includes a mobility management element (“MME”) START message.