MME Selection for Mobile Relay Nodes in LTE-A Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, particularly in 3GPP LTE-A networks, the deployment of mobile relay nodes leads to increased handover frequency and excessive signaling overhead, resulting in reduced handover success rates due to inaccurate UE measurements in high-speed environments, especially in scenarios like high-speed railways, where traditional per-UE based handover procedures are inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for selecting a suitable Mobility Management Entity (MME) in a wireless communication system that includes a mobile relay node, where a donor eNodeB (DeNB) receives a mobile relay indicator during RRC connection establishment and a mobile relay support indication during S1 setup, allowing it to select an MME that supports the mobile relay node among multiple options, thereby enabling group mobility handovers and optimizing network operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If per-UE based handover procedures are used in high-speed environments, then handover control is precise for individual UEs, but signaling overhead increases excessively and handover success rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual UE handover procedures into a single group-based handover procedure. When a mobile relay node moves, instead of performing separate handovers for each UE connected to it, the system performs one group handover that handles all UEs simultaneously. This is achieved by the DeNB identifying that a handover request originates from a mobile relay node and then executing a consolidated handover procedure that reduces signaling messages while maintaining handover control precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional MME selection is used without mobile relay support, then MME compatibility is maintained, but handover efficiency decreases due to frequent handovers in mobile relay scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary identification during the handover request phase to determine whether the source eNB is a DeNB serving a mobile relay node. This early detection allows the target MME to prepare appropriate handover handling in advance. The DeNB includes an indicator in the handover request message to pre-notify the target MME about the mobile relay scenario, enabling the MME to optimize the handover execution and reduce subsequent handover frequency.
3Reliability
If group-based handover is implemented for mobile relay nodes, then signaling overhead is reduced and handover success rate improves, but MME selection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The DeNB acts as an intermediary between the mobile relay node and the target MME. It translates the group handover requirements into standardized handover request messages that include specific indicators about mobile relay operation. The DeNB mediates the interaction by adding identification information to the handover request, allowing the MME to recognize the special scenario and apply appropriate group-based handover handling without requiring complex MME selection logic.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for selecting a mobility management entity (MME) in a wireless communication system including a mobile relay node is provided. A donor eNodeB (DeNB) receives a mobile relay indicator from the mobile relay node during a radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment procedure, receives a mobile relay support indication from an MME supporting the mobile relay node during an S1 setup procedure between the MME and the DeNB, and selects the MME supporting the mobile relay node among a plurality of MMEs.