N1N2 Gateway for Stateful-Stateless Core Network Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing base stations are designed without considering a large number of core networks, limiting the number of Access and Mobility Management Functions (AMFs) they can connect to, and changing their equipment and operating systems to accommodate various core networks is impractical and costly.
Innovation Solution
An information processing device, such as the N1N2 gateway, is introduced to facilitate communication between base stations and core networks using a combination of stateful and stateless protocols, allowing flexible connection with multiple core networks without modifying existing base station equipment or operating systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing base stations are used without modification, then equipment cost and complexity are reduced, but the number of connectable core networks is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an information processing device as an intermediary between the base station and core networks. This device acts as a protocol translator and adapter, enabling the base station to communicate with multiple core networks without direct modification. The intermediary handles protocol conversion and routing, allowing the base station to connect to numerous core networks while maintaining its original simple architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into distinct functional components: the base station remains unchanged, while the information processing device handles protocol conversion and core network interface functions. This segmentation allows the base station to maintain its simplicity while the intermediary component provides the necessary adaptability to connect to multiple core networks with different protocols.
2Adaptability or versatility
If base station equipment is modified to support multiple core networks, then adaptability to different core networks is improved, but equipment cost and operational burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than modifying the base station equipment itself, the patent employs an intermediary information processing device that handles protocol adaptation. This approach avoids costly hardware modifications and operational system changes at the base station, while still achieving compatibility with various core networks through the intermediary's protocol translation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The information processing device creates virtual interfaces and protocol layers that replicate the functionality needed for different core network connections. Instead of physically modifying the base station for each core network type, the intermediary creates software-based protocol copies and translations, enabling multi-core network support without physical equipment changes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the number of AMFs is increased to support more core networks, then connection capability is improved, but device complexity and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The information processing device serves as an intermediary that manages multiple AMF connections on behalf of the base station. Instead of the base station directly managing numerous complex AMF relationships, the intermediary handles protocol conversion and routing to multiple core networks, effectively reducing the base station's configuration complexity while maintaining high connection capability.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention enables flexible connection with a wide variety of core networks even without changing, for example, equipment and/or operating systems related to existing base stations. This invention serves as at least one of (i) an interface via which a base station and a first core network are connected with each other and (ii) an interface via which a terminal device connected with the first core network via the base station and the first core network are connected with each other, and includes: a first stateful communication section (51) carrying out communication with the base station according to a stateful protocol; and a stateless communication section (52) carrying out communication with the first core network according to a stateless protocol.