Hybrid Cellular Nodes Switching Between User and Control Modalities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current decoupled cellular networks are unable to efficiently manage C-plane node malfunctioning, such as congestion or breakdown, which can lead to denial of service and impact a large number of user equipment due to the large coverage area of C-plane nodes.
Innovation Solution
Hybrid nodes, equipped with additional software and hardware resources, are used to switch between user and control modalities, allowing them to temporarily substitute or support C-plane node functions in case of malfunction, ensuring service continuity by managing signaling traffic and maintaining user traffic capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If C-plane nodes are designed with large coverage areas to reduce the number of nodes, then network complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates because a single node malfunction affects many user equipment
Solution Approach 1:
U-plane nodes are designed with dual functionality: they can operate as user plane nodes handling data traffic or switch to control plane nodes handling signaling traffic. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain service continuity by dynamically reassigning roles based on operational needs, resolving the contradiction between using fewer nodes and maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The network architecture enables dynamic role switching where U-plane nodes can transition to C-plane functionality when needed. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to respond to malfunctions in real-time, ensuring service continuity while maintaining a simplified base architecture with fewer dedicated C-plane nodes.
2Productivity
If C-plane and U-plane are decoupled at physical level with specialized nodes, then efficiency is improved, but adaptability worsens because specialized nodes cannot handle the other plane's traffic
Solution Approach 1:
While maintaining physical decoupling with specialized C-plane and U-plane nodes for optimal efficiency, the system incorporates U-plane nodes with the capability to perform C-plane functions when needed. This selective multi-functionality preserves the efficiency benefits of specialization while adding the adaptability to handle unexpected failures or varying traffic conditions.
3Reliability
If hybrid nodes are equipped with additional software and hardware resources to switch between modalities, then service continuity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Hybrid nodes are pre-configured with both C-plane and U-plane software and hardware resources before deployment. This preliminary preparation ensures that when a switch is needed, the node can immediately assume the required functionality without requiring complex real-time reconfiguration, thus improving service continuity while managing device complexity through advance preparation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A cellular network (100) is provided. The cellular network (100) comprises a plurality of control plane transceiver stations (105), each one configured to provide radio coverage over a corresponding first coverage area (105A) for allowing user equipment (110) within said first coverage area (105A) to exchange signaling traffic with the control plane transceiver station (105). For each control plane transceiver station (105), the cellular network (100) further comprises one or more hybrid transceiver stations (215(i)) located within the corresponding first coverage area (105A). Each hybrid transceiver station (215(i)) is configured to be switched between: a) a user operation modality, in which said hybrid transceiver station (215(i)) is configured to provide radio coverage over a corresponding user coverage area (215(i) UA) for allowing user equipment (110) within said user coverage area (115(i)A) to exchange user traffic with the hybrid transceiver station (215(i)), and b) a control operation modality, in which said hybrid transceiver station (215(i)) is configured to provide radio coverage over a corresponding control coverage area (215(i)CA) for allowing user equipment (110) within said control coverage area (215(i)) to exchange at least signaling traffic with the hybrid transceiver station (215(i))