HNB-GW Core Network Selection for MOCN Roaming
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-operator core network (MOCN) environments, selecting the appropriate core network for user equipment (UE) is inefficient due to the lack of effective routing mechanisms, leading to increased location update/attach procedure times and potential timeouts, especially for pre-Release 6 UEs, which can result in forbidden Public Land Mobile Networks being stored and inefficient use of network resources.
Innovation Solution
A communication system that includes a network selection module and database within the Home Node B Gateway (HNB-GW) to record and track successful/unsuccessful routing information for pre-Release 6 UEs, maintaining a mapping table of successful CN node selections and preferred roaming partners based on Mobile Country Code (MCC) and Mobile Network Code (MNC), enabling faster and more efficient selection of appropriate CNs for subsequent UE requests.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If no routing mechanism is implemented for core network selection in MOCN environments, then the system maintains simplicity, but location update/attach procedure time increases and timeouts occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-establishing a routing mechanism that maintains a mapping table of successful CN node selections and preferred roaming partners based on MCC and MNC. When a UE attempts to attach, the system proactively queries this pre-prepared routing information rather than attempting random connections, thereby reducing attach procedure time and avoiding timeouts before they occur.
2Loss of energy
If random CN node selection is used for UE attachment, then the system maintains ease of operation, but control plane signaling with multiple CN nodes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by maintaining a mapping table that records successful CN node selections and preferred roaming partners based on MCC and MNC. The system uses this feedback information to intelligently select the appropriate CN for subsequent UEs with the same or similar roaming profiles, thereby reducing control plane signaling overhead by avoiding repeated trial-and-error connection attempts across multiple CN nodes.
3Reliability
If effective routing information is not tracked for pre-Release 6 UEs, then the system maintains device compatibility, but forbidden PLMNs are stored and network resource utilization decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the network system to automatically track and learn from routing outcomes for pre-Release 6 UEs. The mapping table is dynamically updated with successful CN node selections and preferred roaming partners based on MCC and MNC, allowing the system to self-optimize routing decisions without requiring complex manual configuration or intervention, thereby improving roaming partner selection accuracy while maintaining manageable system complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
An example method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving a first communication from a user equipment (UE) for a subscriber associated with the first UE to a small cell MOCN (Multi-Operator Core Network), wherein a plurality core networks (CNs) share resources for a small cell network; selecting a first CN from the plurality of CNs to provide services to the first subscriber via the small cell network based, at least in part, on a first Mobile Country Code (MCC) and a first Mobile Network Code (MNC) for the first subscriber; and storing, in at least one memory element, at least one association of the MCC and the MNC to the CN for use in subsequent requests from other UEs for subscribers to attach to the small cell network.