LTE Terminal Identification via RLF ShortMAC-I Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
In LTE mobile communication systems, existing methods for determining handover scenarios are inaccurate due to PCI confusion, leading to incorrect identification of cells and eNBs, which results in suboptimal handover parameter optimization and reduced self-optimization functionality.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that uniquely identify a terminal by using a source eNB to send RLF information containing C-RNTI, PCI, and shortMAC-I to target eNBs, allowing them to determine if the terminal is within their coverage area by calculating a shortMAC-I using an integrity protection algorithm, thereby accurately determining the cell where the RLF occurs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If PCI information is used to identify target eNBs, then the identification process is simple, but PCI confusion causes wrong eNB and cell identification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces shortMAC-I as an intermediary verification mechanism between PCI (coarse identification) and eNB/cell confirmation. The source eNB sends RLF information including shortMAC-I to candidate target eNBs, which use it to verify whether the terminal truly belongs to their cells. This intermediary step resolves the contradiction by maintaining simple PCI-based initial identification while adding precision through cryptographic verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The identification process is segmented into two stages: first use PCI for quick candidate eNB identification, then use shortMAC-I verification for precise confirmation. This segmentation allows the system to benefit from both the simplicity of PCI-based filtering and the accuracy of cryptographic verification, avoiding the need to use complex verification for all identification cases.
2Measurement precision
If RLF information is sent to all candidate target eNBs, then the correct eNB can be identified, but network signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by sending RLF information to a limited set of candidate target eNBs identified through PCI filtering, rather than broadcasting to all eNBs in the network. The PCI-based identification narrows down the candidates to only those eNBs that might actually be the correct target, reducing signaling overhead while maintaining identification accuracy. This is supplemented by excessive action of sending to multiple candidates simultaneously to ensure the correct eNB receives the information.
3Productivity
If handover parameter optimization is performed without accurate terminal identification, then the optimization process is faster, but handover failures and ping-pong handovers increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary terminal identification using PCI and shortMAC-I verification before initiating handover parameter optimization. By confirming the correct target eNB and cell in advance, the system ensures that subsequent optimization actions are based on accurate context information. This preliminary identification step prevents unreliable optimization decisions while maintaining efficiency by using pre-filtered candidate sets.
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosure provides a method and system for identifying a terminal. The method comprises that: a source eNB that has received an RRC reestablishment message determines, according to a PCI of a cell where an RLF occurs in the massage, all target eNBs to which RLF information needs to be sent, and sends the RLF information to each determined target eNB; after receiving the RLF information, the target eNB determines the cell where the RLF occurs under the target eNB according to the PCI of the cell where the RLF occurs, and determines in each determined cell whether a C-RNTI of the terminal in the cell where the RLF occurs belongs to C-RNTIs existing in the cell; if the C-RNTI belongs to the C-RNTIs existing in the cell, then the terminal is determined to be a terminal of the cell, otherwise the terminal is determined not to be a terminal of the cell. The disclosure enables the terminal to be identified accurately and uniquely.