LTE Relay Node Identifier Assignment and X2 Interface Concentration

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Solution Overview

Problem

In LTE-Advanced mobile communication systems, there is no method for automatic assignment of identifiers to relay nodes, requiring manual setup by personnel, which complicates the recognition of cells subordinate to relay nodes by adjacent radio base stations and increases processing load.

Innovation Solution

A mobile communication system where the radio base station and relay node share identical device identification information, with an assignment unit that automatically assigns cell identification information to avoid overlaps, allowing the radio base station to recognize cells subordinate to the relay node without distinction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If relay nodes are manually configured with identifiers, then identifier assignment accuracy is improved, but installation complexity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentifier assignment accuracyVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The relay node automatically obtains its identifier by deriving it from the parent base station's identifier through a predetermined rule. The node independently configures its device identification information without requiring manual intervention, thereby reducing installation time while ensuring accurate and consistent identifier assignment across the network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-establishes a derivation rule that determines child node identifiers based on parent node identifiers. This preliminary configuration of the identification rule allows relay nodes to automatically generate valid identifiers upon activation, eliminating the need for manual identifier assignment during installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If relay nodes establish independent X2 interfaces with adjacent base stations, then communication flexibility is improved, but processing load on base stations increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication flexibilityVSAvoidprocessing load
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple relay nodes under the same parent base station share a common device identification information. This merging of identification resources allows adjacent base stations to recognize all subordinate cells through a single identifier reference, reducing the number of independent X2 interface connections needed while maintaining communication flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The parent base station's identifier serves multiple functions: it identifies the parent station itself and simultaneously identifies all its subordinate relay nodes. This universal identifier reduces the total number of unique identifiers needed in the system, simplifying the X2 interface management and reducing processing load on adjacent base stations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If relay nodes use unique identifiers, then node identification accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenode identification accuracyVSAvoididentifier management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The identifier system is segmented into parent node identifiers and child node identifiers, where child identifiers are derived from parent identifiers through a structured rule. This segmentation maintains unique identification capability while organizing identifiers in a hierarchical manner that reduces overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The predetermined derivation rule acts as an intermediary mechanism that automatically generates child node identifiers from parent node identifiers. This intermediary process ensures accurate and unique identification of relay nodes without requiring manual configuration or complex centralized management, thereby reducing identifier management complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2512165B1Mobile communication system and radio base station
Publication Date: 2016.04.20 NTT DOCOMO INC
  • EP2512165B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2512165B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2512165B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A mobile communication system according to the present invention is configured so that the "Macro eNB ID" that identifies the relay node RN and the "eNB ID" that identifies the radio base station DeNB are identical, and the radio base station DeNB includes an assignment unit 22 configured to assign, at activation of the relay node RN, the "Cell Identity" that identifies the cell subordinate to the relay node RN to avoid overlap with the "Cell Identity" that is used as the "Cell Identity" that identifies a cell subordinate to the radio base station DeNB and cells subordinate to the other relay node RNs that are connected to the radio base station DeNB.