Network Entity Context Replication for Signaling Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile network architectures, especially in industrial applications, face complexity and reliability issues due to separate entities for radio access network (RAN), user plane (UP), and control plane (CP), leading to increased costs, delays, and failure risks, particularly during mobility and service request procedures.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where control plane context information is handled by a first network entity configured with a context replication domain, allowing all network entities within the domain to share and update control plane context information, thereby eliminating the need for additional signaling and reducing the number of failure points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate entities for RAN, CN UP and CN CP are deployed, then network functionality is well-defined and scalable, but device complexity and number of failure points increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines RAN, CN UP, and CN CP functionalities into a single integrated access node platform. This merging reduces the number of separate entities from three to one, thereby reducing device complexity and failure points while maintaining all necessary network functionalities through integration within the unified platform.
2Reliability
If CN CP functionality is relocated to new common AN platform during mobility, then reliability improves by reducing failure points, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating CN CP functionality within the same access node platform that provides RAN services, the patent eliminates the need for separate CN CP entities. This integration allows the system to maintain reliability while avoiding the signaling overhead associated with relocating CN CP functionality between separate platforms during mobility events.
3Duration of action of moving object
If CN CP functionality remains served by old common AN platform during handover, then service continuity is maintained, but reliability decreases due to multiple failure points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates CN CP functionality with the serving RAN access node, ensuring that the control plane is always served by the current serving node rather than a previous node. This integration maintains service continuity while improving reliability by eliminating dependency on multiple separate platforms.
4Ease of operation
If colocation of BS, CN UP and CN CP in common AN platform is implemented, then operation is simplified, but additional functionality is needed for efficient mobility handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates all three functionalities (RAN, CN UP, CN CP) into a single access node platform, which inherently simplifies operation by eliminating the need for complex inter-entity coordination during mobility. The integrated architecture naturally handles mobility without requiring additional separate functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a method for a first network entity of handling control plane context information relating to wireless devices. The first network entity is configured with a first context replication domain. The method comprises handling control plane context information relating to one or more wireless devices, and communicating, with each additional network entity also configured with the first context replication domain, changes of control plane context information for the one or more wireless devices. The disclosure also relates to corresponding computer program, computer program product and first network entity.