Load Based Signaling in Communication Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication networks lack a mechanism for the core network nodes to determine when radio access network (RAN) nodes are overloaded, leading to inefficient handling of signaling messages and incorrect decision-making due to undifferentiated rejection of requests.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where RAN nodes determine their current load level and indicate it to core network nodes, allowing these nodes to apply appropriate signaling handling schemes to manage signaling loads effectively, distinguishing between capacity issues and individual failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If RAN nodes reject incoming signaling messages when overloaded, then the processing load on RAN nodes is reduced, but the core network cannot distinguish between rejection due to overload and individual failures, leading to incorrect decision-making
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the RAN node sends an overload indication message to the core network node when experiencing high load. This feedback provides the core network with real-time information about the RAN node's capacity, enabling it to adjust signaling behavior accordingly. The overload indication serves as a direct communication channel that resolves the information loss problem while maintaining reduced processing load through selective message handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary overload indication message that mediates between the RAN node's internal load state and the core network's signaling decisions. This intermediary communication mechanism allows the core network to infer overload conditions without directly processing additional signaling messages, thus reducing processing load while preserving information about the RAN node's capacity status.
2Reliability
If RAN nodes process and reject incoming signaling messages, then the core network can maintain normal signaling procedures, but the processing load and signaling load on RAN nodes increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the RAN node proactively send an overload indication message to the core network before processing incoming signaling messages. This allows the core network to preemptively adjust its signaling behavior and avoid sending messages that would be rejected, thereby reducing the signaling load on the RAN node while maintaining the reliability of signaling procedures through informed decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary anti-action by enabling the core network to prevent unnecessary signaling messages from being sent to an overloaded RAN node. By receiving the overload indication in advance, the core network can apply anti-action by blocking or redirecting signaling messages that would otherwise increase the RAN node's processing load, thus maintaining signaling reliability without exacerbating the load problem.
3Ease of operation
If core network nodes send signaling requests without knowing RAN node capacity, then signaling procedures can be executed normally, but unnecessary load is distributed to already overloaded RAN nodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback by having the overloaded RAN node communicate its capacity status to the core network through an overload indication message. This feedback enables the core network to adapt its signaling execution strategy, distributing signaling load more intelligently by avoiding overloaded nodes. The feedback mechanism maintains ease of operation for necessary signaling procedures while reducing the quantity of signaling messages sent to capacity-constrained RAN nodes.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a network node, a network control node and methods therein for achieving load based signaling. The method performed by the network node comprises determining a load level out of a set of predefined load levels based on a current load of the network node, where each load level corresponds to an estimated capability of the network node to handle signaling from at least one network control node. The method further comprise indicating the determined load level to at least one network control node, thus enabling the at least one network control node to apply a signaling handling scheme towards the network node based on the indicated load level.