LTE Handover Failure Redirection via MME Path Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In Long-Term Evolution (LTE) communication networks, handover failures lead to dropped calls or data sessions due to the lack of control by the serving gateway over the communication path, resulting in customer dissatisfaction and inefficient network resource management.
Innovation Solution
An architecture that includes a monitor component coupled to the serving gateway to detect handover failures and a routing component coupled to the mobility management entity (MME) to instruct the selection of an alternative communication path, leveraging the MME's ability to authorize bearers and select network entities, thereby redirecting communications before a session is lost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the serving gateway detects handover failures, then handover failure detection capability is improved, but the serving gateway cannot control the communication path to remedy the problem
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component (path selection entity or core network entity) that mediates between the serving gateway's detection capability and the communication path control. This intermediary receives failure information from the serving gateway and executes path redirection, allowing the serving gateway to detect failures without needing direct control over path selection.
2Device complexity
If conventional LTE networks allow handover transactions to fail, then network simplicity is maintained, but call or data sessions are dropped leading to customer dissatisfaction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by proactively detecting handover failures before they result in dropped calls. The serving gateway monitors handover transactions and triggers path redirection upon detecting failure indicators, preventing session drops before they occur rather than reacting after the fact.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where the serving gateway monitors handover failure indicators and communicates this information to the path selection entity, which then adjusts the communication path accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism maintains reliability without significantly increasing network complexity.
3Reliability
If the MME is used to select alternative communication paths, then handover failure recovery capability is improved, but the complexity of the routing component increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the existing multi-functionality of the MME, which already performs bearer authorization and network entity selection. By extending its role to include alternative path selection for handover failure recovery, the system gains reliability without adding dedicated new components, thereby minimizing complexity increases.
Data Source
AI summary
An architecture that can redirect communications upon detection of a handover failure in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network is described. The architecture can obtain information indicative of a handover failure that is available in a first portion of the LTE network (e.g., a serving gateway) that has no control over the communication path. The architecture can utilize the information to instruct a second portion of the LTE network (e.g., a mobility management entity), one that can control the communication path but conventionally has no access to the handover information, to reroute the communication path to avoid unresponsive or failing network entities.