Merged LTE eNB and EPC Base Station for Rapid Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LTE communication networks face disruptions due to eNB failures, which are critical for mission-critical applications, especially in public safety scenarios where high availability and rapid deployability are essential, particularly in regions without existing infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
A merged LTE eNB and EPC entity within a portable Base Station (BS) architecture, where multiple BSs act as backups to ensure continuous connectivity using an LTE radio interface, allowing seamless handover in case of active BS failure, with pre-defined static ordering for backup activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a large and complex system comprising multiple entities in the EPC/core is used, then network functionality is complete, but deployment complexity and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the eNB and EPC entities into a single integrated Base Station unit. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate deployment of multiple network entities, significantly reducing deployment complexity and time while maintaining complete network functionality. The integrated BS contains all necessary functions including radio resource management, mobility management, and packet data network gateway capabilities within a single deployable unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated Base Station is designed as a universal node that performs multiple functions simultaneously - it acts as both an eNB for radio access and an EPC node for core network functions. This multi-functionality allows a single device to replace what traditionally required multiple specialized entities, enabling rapid deployment in public safety and remote regions.
2Reliability
If the eNB serves as the primary communication anchor, then connectivity is established, but network availability decreases when eNB fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements pre-configured backup Base Stations that are ready to take over immediately upon detection of active BS failure. The backup nodes maintain synchronized configuration and state information in advance, enabling seamless failover without service interruption. This preliminary preparation ensures high network availability while keeping the architecture manageable through automated failure detection and switching mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different operational states to different Base Stations - one active BS serves as the primary communication anchor while others remain in standby mode with specific backup functions. This local differentiation optimizes resource utilization and simplifies the architecture by having each node perform a specific role rather than all nodes operating identically.
3Adaptability or versatility
If wired links are used for connectivity, then network stability is improved, but deployment flexibility and rapid deployability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical wired connections with wireless LTE radio interfaces for connectivity between Base Stations and Application Servers. This substitution maintains deployment flexibility and rapid deployability by eliminating the need for physical infrastructure while implementing redundancy mechanisms through multiple wireless paths and automated connection management to ensure connection stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A highly available network architecture for a LTE based communication network. Embodiments herein disclose an architecture for a highly available and resilient Long Term Evolution (LTE) based wireless communication network, wherein the network comprises of at least one Base Station (BS) further comprising of a merged LTE eNodeB (eNB) and a LTE Evolved Packet Core (EPC) entities and except for a single active BS, the other BSs can act as a backup for the currently active BS. Embodiments herein disclose a network architecture for a highly available and resilient architecture for Long Term Evolution (LTE) based wireless communication network, wherein a LTE radio interface is used for connectivity between components of the LTE communication network.