LTE Relay Paging and Location Update Signaling Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

In LTE-Advanced relay networks, the current paging method requires eNodeBs to page both their own cells and relay cells, leading to increased signaling overhead and resource wastage, and causes heavy signaling load during location updates due to concurrent updates from multiple user equipment, especially when relays are in motion.

Innovation Solution

The proposed method involves the eNodeB receiving a paging message with a tracking area identity, determining whether it is for its own cell or a relay cell, and instructing the relay to page the user equipment only if necessary, thereby reducing signaling overhead and optimizing resource allocation. Additionally, the relay broadcasts its own tracking area identity, reducing the frequency of location updates and signaling load.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the eNodeB pages all relays to locate a specified user equipment, then the user equipment can be paged successfully, but the signaling overhead increases and system paging resources are wasted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepaging success rateVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the paging process by introducing relay-specific tracking area identities. The eNodeB divides the paging task by directing it only to relays whose TA identity matches the paged UE's location, rather than broadcasting to all relays. This segmentation reduces unnecessary signaling while maintaining reliable paging delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces relay TA identity as an intermediary parameter that mediates between the eNodeB and relays during paging. The eNodeB uses this intermediary identifier to selectively address only the relevant relay, reducing the signaling overhead while ensuring the paging message reaches the correct relay that serves the paged user equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If all user equipments of a moving relay undergo location update concurrently when the relay enters a new cell, then the location information is updated accurately, but heavy signaling load is generated on the air interface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation update accuracyVSAvoidsignaling load
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the relay proactively notify the eNodeB about its movement to a new cell before the user equipments need to perform location updates. This advance notification allows the eNodeB to prepare and coordinate the location update process, preventing the simultaneous concurrent updates that cause signaling overload.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic action by establishing a structured location update mechanism where the relay periodically reports its cell changes to the eNodeB. This periodic reporting rhythmizes the location update process, distributing the signaling load over time rather than concentrating it in simultaneous bulk updates from all user equipments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP2712215B1Paging method, location update method and device
Publication Date: 2017.09.06 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP2712215B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2712215B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2712215B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A paging method may reduce signaling overhead of system paging and save system paging resources. The method includes: receiving, by an eNodeB, a paging message, where the paging message carries a tracking area identity; paging a user equipment if the tracking area identity in the paging message is the tracking area identity of the eNodeB; and instructing a relay to page. A location update method is also disclosed, which reduces signaling load produced by location update. The method includes: generating, by a relay, a system message, where the system message includes a tracking area identity of the relay; and broadcasting the system message, and triggering a user equipment in a cell of the relay to initiate a location update request. The embodiments of the present invention disclose an eNodeB, a relay, a communication system.