Hierarchical Micro and Macro MME Architecture for Signaling Overhead Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing mobile communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing mobility and reducing signaling overhead due to the increasing number of small cells, leading to increased overhead in the core network and inefficient paging processes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a hierarchical structure with a micro Mobility Management Entity (MME) and a macro MME, where the micro MME manages specific small cells within a macro cell, allowing for targeted paging and reducing the load on the macro MME by distributing signaling tasks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the number of small cells is increased to expand network capacity, then service area coverage is improved, but signaling overhead in the core network increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the core network into hierarchical levels: macro MMEs that manage multiple tracking areas and micro MMEs that manage specific small cells within those areas. This segmentation allows signaling to be processed locally at the micro MME level rather than being centralized at the macro MME level, reducing overall signaling overhead while maintaining expanded service area coverage through the distributed small cell architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to the network architecture, creating multiple levels of MME management (macro and micro). This dimensional change transforms the flat network structure into a layered one, where micro MMEs handle local signaling for small cells and macro MMEs handle broader management, thereby reducing the signaling burden on any single level while supporting extensive service area coverage.
2Device complexity
If a single MME manages all small cells, then network management is simplified, but the MME becomes a bottleneck and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the MME functionality into macro MMEs for high-level management and micro MMEs for local small cell management. This segmentation distributes the processing load across multiple entities, preventing any single MME from becoming a bottleneck while maintaining manageable complexity through clear hierarchical roles and responsibilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The micro MME acts as an intermediary between the small cells and the macro MME. It handles local mobility management and signaling for small cells, mediating between the detailed local operations and the broader network management functions, thereby improving efficiency without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
3Reliability
If paging messages are transmitted to all small cells, then user reachability is ensured, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by enabling micro MMEs to perform localized paging operations within their respective tracking areas. Instead of broadcasting paging messages to all small cells network-wide, the system transmits paging messages only to relevant small cells managed by the appropriate micro MME, thereby ensuring user reachability while minimizing paging overhead through location-aware selective paging.
Solution Approach 2:
The micro MME performs self-service by autonomously managing paging operations for small cells within its jurisdiction. It uses stored location information to determine which small cells should receive paging messages, eliminating the need for centralized paging coordination and reducing overall signaling overhead while maintaining reliable user reachability.
Data Source
AI summary
The present specification suggests a method and an apparatus for more efficient mobility management through a hierarchical structure of a micro mobility management entity (MME) and a macro MME in a mobile communication system. Particularly, a second MME establishes a connection with a plurality of small cells included in a single macro cell. The second MME manages a single particular macro cell, and a first MME manages a plurality of macro cells, thereby providing a hierarchical structure. Additionally, the second MME transmits a paging message to a small cell in which a terminal is positioned, among the plurality of small cells included in a single macro cell. The second MME has information on the position of the terminal and can transmit the paging message to a particular small cell in which the terminal is positioned.