HLR Signaling Traffic Smoothing via Location Update Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mobile communication systems, when the link between a Home Location Register (HLR) and a Visitor Location Register (VLR) is congested or the HLR is overloaded, message congestion can lead to system breakdowns due to repeated location update retries and increased traffic, especially during VLR resets or power outages, which existing systems fail to effectively manage.
Innovation Solution
The method involves the HLR receiving location update requests from the VLR, returning a successful update response without sending user data when congested or overloaded, and sending user data only when the link is normal or the UE is active, thereby separating the location update and data download functions and reducing signaling traffic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the HLR sends user data to the VLR during location update, then the VLR can provide services to the UE, but the signaling traffic increases and may cause link congestion or HLR overload
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the location update process into two independent phases: (1) location update request/response exchange, and (2) user data download. By separating these functions, the system can complete the critical location update without necessarily transferring all user data immediately, thereby reducing signaling traffic during congestion while maintaining service capability through subsequent data downloads when conditions permit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic control mechanisms where the HLR decides whether to send user data based on current system conditions (congestion status, load levels). The data download timing is made flexible rather than fixed, allowing the system to adapt to varying traffic conditions and avoid congestion while ensuring service continuity when possible.
2Quantity of substance
If the HLR refuses location update requests when overloaded, then the traffic load on HLR is reduced, but the UE cannot update its location and may retry indefinitely causing repeated traffic spikes
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of completely refusing location updates when overloaded, the HLR performs partial action by accepting the location update request and responding successfully, but delaying or skipping the user data download phase. This partial fulfillment allows the location update to succeed (improving reliability) while minimizing the traffic burden (controlling load) by not transferring the full data set during congestion.
Solution Approach 2:
The HLR performs the critical location update registration first, establishing the UE's location information before attempting user data download. This preliminary action ensures that the location update succeeds even under load, and the data download can be deferred to a later time when system conditions are more favorable.
3Loss of information
If the HLR sends user data during location update, then the VLR has complete user information, but during VLR reset or power outage recovery, batch location updates cause message congestion and system breakdown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic or staged user data downloads rather than single-batch transfers. During normal operations, user data can be downloaded in manageable portions or at scheduled intervals, preventing traffic spikes. During recovery scenarios, this periodic approach allows the system to gradually restore data synchronization without overwhelming the network with simultaneous batch updates.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and a system for implementing smoothing of signaling traffic, and a home location register. The method includes: when a link between an HLR and an exchange device is congested or the HLR is overloaded, receiving, by the HLR, a location update request message of a user equipment UE sent by the exchange device, and returning a location update response message to the exchange device, so as to inform the exchange device that the location update of the UE is successful, where the HLR does not send user data corresponding to the UE to the exchange device; and when the link between the HLR and the exchange device is normal, the load of the HLR is normal, or the UE performs a service, sending, by the HLR, the user data corresponding to the UE to the exchange device.