HetNet Gateway Virtualizes Super-Cells for 3G Mobility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current network architectures face challenges in efficiently managing and optimizing 3G/4G coverage, capacity, and quality of service, especially in scenarios with a large number of small cells, where traditional femto solutions are costly and complex, and require external AAA and additional capacity on top of existing networks.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a software-defined networking (SDN) and network functions virtualization (NFV)-based HetNet Gateway that virtualizes RAN interfaces, acts as a virtual radio network controller, and provides self-configuring, self-adjusting, and self-healing capabilities across multiple technologies, including 3G, 4G, and Wi-Fi, abstracting RAN changes from the core network and enabling flexible deployment and optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If traditional femto solutions are deployed to extend service coverage indoors, then coverage is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to requiring external AAA and additional capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple small cells into a super-cell virtualized entity that is managed as a single logical unit by the HetNet Gateway. This consolidation reduces the number of individual cell configurations and AAA interactions required, thereby reducing network architecture complexity while maintaining extended indoor coverage through the super-cell structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The HetNet Gateway provides universal management capabilities for heterogeneous networks, handling multiple small cells across different technologies (3G, 4G, Wi-Fi) through a single gateway interface. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate AAA and management systems for each cell type, reducing overall system complexity while extending coverage.
2Quantity of substance
If a large number of small cells are deployed to enhance capacity, then network capacity is improved, but device complexity increases due to management overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the management of individual small cells by grouping them into virtualized super-cells. Each super-cell is managed as a single entity by the HetNet Gateway, which abstracts the individual cell management overhead. This segmentation approach allows high network capacity through multiple cells while reducing management complexity through virtualization.
Solution Approach 2:
The HetNet Gateway acts as an intermediary between the core network and numerous small cells. It provides a unified interface for managing capacity across multiple cells, translating core network requests into cell-specific operations. This intermediary role simplifies management complexity while enabling enhanced network capacity through coordinated multi-cell operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If femto gateways are deployed to manage small cells, then connectivity is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of cell functionality through the super-cell abstraction. Instead of requiring separate physical gateways for each small cell, the HetNet Gateway creates virtual representations of cell management capabilities. This virtualization maintains connectivity adaptability while eliminating the need for multiple complex physical gateway devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The HetNet Gateway provides universal connectivity management for heterogeneous small cells across different radio access technologies. A single gateway instance can manage 3G, 4G, and Wi-Fi small cells simultaneously, providing versatile connectivity without requiring separate specialized gateways for each technology, thereby reducing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for a 3G gateway. In a first embodiment, a method is disclosed for a network, comprising: receiving a relocation request message at a home nodeB gateway (HNBGW), the HNBGW coupled to an operator core network, the relocation request message including a target super cell identifier and a user equipment (UE) identifier; sending a second relocation request message from the HNBGW to a coordinating node, the coordinating node having as its identifier the target super cell identifier; querying a lookup table at the coordinating node using the UE identifier to determine a target cell identifier; replacing, in the second relocation request message, the target super cell identifier with the target cell identifier to create a third relocation request message; and sending the third relocation request message to a target cell identified by the target cell identifier.