LTE Base Station X2 Interface Address Acquisition via MME

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Solution Overview

Problem

In LTE systems, establishing an X2 interface between base stations is hindered by the lack of a method to obtain the necessary transmission addresses for these interfaces, which are required for initiating connections.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that utilize an S1 interface to send and receive constructed messages between a source and target base station, with the Mobility Management Entity (MME) transparently transmitting transmission address request and response messages, allowing the source base station to establish an X2 interface connection by obtaining the required transmission addresses from a network-side database or configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If base stations use traditional methods to obtain transmission addresses, then manual configuration is required which consumes human resources, but the patent implements automatic acquisition through S1 interface messaging which saves human and material resources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic transmission address acquisitionVSAvoidmessaging system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The MME acts as an intermediary between base stations for transmission address exchange. The source base station sends a transmission address request message to the MME, which then forwards it to the target base station. The target base station responds through the MME, which transparently transmits the response back to the source base station. This intermediary approach automates the address acquisition process while maintaining controlled complexity through standardized messaging protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The base stations perform self-configuration by automatically acquiring transmission addresses through the messaging system. When a base station is powered on, it autonomously sends requests to obtain transmission addresses of neighboring base stations via the S1 interface and MME, eliminating the need for manual configuration and enabling self-organizing network functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If base stations manually configure transmission addresses, then configuration accuracy can be controlled, but the process is time-consuming and reduces network setup speed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork setup speedVSAvoidtransmission address configuration accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Transmission addresses are pre-configured in the MME or obtained from network-side databases before base stations need them. When a base station initiates an X2 interface establishment request, the MME already has the necessary transmission address information ready to forward, enabling rapid automatic acquisition without manual configuration delays while maintaining accuracy through pre-validated data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The messaging system includes feedback mechanisms where the target base station responds with transmission address information, and the source base station can verify receipt and initiate X2 interface establishment. The system provides confirmation that addresses were successfully acquired, enabling automatic validation while maintaining configuration accuracy through the structured request-response protocol.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2337402B1Method and device for obtaining the x2 interface transmission address of a base station under LTE system
Publication Date: 2016.09.14 ZTE CORP
  • EP2337402B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2337402B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2337402B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A method and device for obtaining an X2 interface transmission address of a base station in an LTE system are provided. The method is implemented based on base stations, the base station, using a constructed independent message, obtains through an S1 interface a base station transmission address which is required for establishing an X2 interface connection, thus making the X2 interface connection established between the base stations. The method and device of the present invention can obtain in time transmission address information of a target base station which is to establish an X2 interface with the current base station, so that the X2 interface can be established between the base stations. This will help to implement information interaction between the base stations and embody the integrality of X2 interface attribute management in the automatic optimization of the relations between neighbor cells.