Mobility Management Context Transfer in Millimeter-Wave Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing handover procedure in LTE systems is not suitable for millimeter-wave (mmW) networks, leading to high complexity and cost for access nodes due to the need for maintaining and transferring context information, and inflexible deployment, which is exacerbated by the higher density of access nodes and frequent handovers in mmW networks.
Innovation Solution
A method where the target access node obtains context information directly from the terminal device and the network management center, reducing the burden on the source access node, allowing for faster handovers and more flexible deployment by using a network management center connected via an aggregation node with a wired connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the existing LTE handover procedure is applied to mmW networks, then handover functionality is provided, but the complexity and cost of access nodes increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the context information maintenance function from the source access node and relocates it to the network management center. The source access node no longer needs to store or forward complete context information, instead only signaling handover commands. This extraction reduces the complexity burden on access nodes while maintaining handover functionality through centralized context management.
Solution Approach 2:
The network management center acts as an intermediary between access nodes and terminal devices during handover. It receives context information from terminal devices, manages it centrally, and provides it to target access nodes as needed. This intermediary role eliminates the need for direct context information transfer between access nodes, reducing their complexity.
2Reliability
If context information is maintained and transferred by source access nodes, then handover completeness is ensured, but handover duration increases
Solution Approach 1:
Terminal devices proactively maintain and update their context information at the network management center before handover occurs. This preliminary action ensures that when handover is triggered, the target access node can immediately obtain pre-prepared context information from the network management center, eliminating the time-consuming process of context information transfer during handover execution.
Solution Approach 2:
The network management center serves as a centralized repository that stores context information and provides it rapidly to target access nodes during handover. This intermediary architecture enables parallel context information retrieval while handover signaling proceeds, significantly reducing handover duration compared to sequential transfer through source access nodes.
3Productivity
If access nodes are deployed at high density in mmW networks, then network capacity is improved, but deployment flexibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the context information storage and management function from individual access nodes and consolidates it at the network management center. This extraction allows access nodes to be deployed as simple, low-cost units without complex context management capabilities, enabling flexible high-density deployment in mmW networks while maintaining full handover functionality through centralized management.
Solution Approach 2:
Terminal devices are empowered to directly interact with the network management center to provide and update their context information. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex inter-node signaling and context transfer protocols, allowing access nodes to be deployed flexibly without requiring sophisticated coordination capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for mobility management at a network management center. The method comprises indicating a target access node to a terminal device being served by a source access node, in response to determining that the terminal device needs to be handed over to the target access node. The method also comprises transmitting network-related context information of the terminal device to the target access node that receives terminal-related context information of the terminal device from the terminal device. By virtue of this method, the access node may be made with a simple and low cost structure; deployment of access nodes may be more flexible and handover of the terminal device may be more efficient.