Isolated E-UTRAN Base Station Backhaul Failure Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LTE/SAE architecture is not well-suited for operation without or with limited backhaul connection, leading to failure in providing services to users when backhaul is completely or partially unavailable, especially in disaster scenarios, and cannot support mission-critical services like group communication and proximity services effectively.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves a method and apparatus for enabling Isolated E-UTRAN operation by monitoring link quality to eNBs, switching to isolated mode when backhaul is unavailable, and providing limited services to users, including group communication and proximity services, using Mobile Edge Computing and Nomadic eNBs, without requiring modifications to conventional UE devices, thus enabling communication infrastructure setup quickly during disasters and potentially replacing P.25 and TETRA systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional LTE/SAE architecture is used with full backhaul connection, then complete service functionality is provided, but the system fails when backhaul connection is lost or limited
Solution Approach 1:
The base station dynamically switches between connected mode and isolated mode based on backhaul link availability. The system monitors link quality and automatically transitions operation modes to maintain service continuity, making the architecture adaptive rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters when transitioning to isolated mode, including enabling isolated E-UTRAN operation, activating local service provisioning, and modifying network behavior to function with limited or no backhaul connectivity.
2Reliability
If isolated E-UTRAN operation is enabled without backhaul connection, then service continuity is maintained, but service functionality is limited
Solution Approach 1:
In isolated mode, the system provides partial service functionality - maintaining essential services like group communication and proximity services while accepting reduced capacity. This allows the system to operate with limited backhaul by providing just enough service to maintain critical operations.
3Loss of time
If standalone Nomadic eNBs are deployed for isolated operation, then rapid infrastructure setup is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Nomadic eNBs are pre-configured with isolated operation capabilities and can be rapidly deployed without requiring complex integration procedures. The base station is prepared in advance to operate independently, reducing deployment time while managing complexity through standardized preconfiguration.
Data Source
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AI summary
It is provided a method, comprising providing a first and a second service to a first a second user by a providing unit; monitoring if the providing unit operates in an isolated mode or in a linked mode; and at least one of a service controlling and a user controlling, wherein the service controlling comprises inhibiting, in the isolated mode, the providing unit from providing the second service to the first and the second user; and preventing that the providing unit is inhibited from providing the first service to at least one user; and the user controlling comprises inhibiting, in the isolated mode, the providing unit from providing the first and the second service to the second user; and preventing that the providing unit is inhibited from providing at least one service to the first user.