Network Node Address Caching for Dynamic Cell Link Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In cellular systems, the dynamic change in the configuration of active cells due to events or energy-saving purposes leads to frequent changes in the number and identity of neighboring cells, causing challenges in establishing and maintaining communication links between gNBs.
Innovation Solution
A network node is designed to request and store the communication address of another network node controlling neighboring cells, and to update this information based on changes in cell status, using a central network node to facilitate these processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If cells are dynamically activated or deactivated to manage user load and energy consumption, then network energy efficiency and load management improve, but the communication link establishment between gNBs becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The network node proactively requests and stores the communication address of another network node when a cell is activated, before any handover procedure is needed. This preliminary action ensures that when the cell status changes, the communication link is already established or can be quickly established without waiting for handover signaling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the network node subscribes to cell status updates and automatically updates its datastore when cell activation or deactivation occurs. This feedback loop ensures the communication link information remains current without manual intervention, reducing complexity in dynamic environments.
2Loss of time
If the gNB stores communication addresses of neighboring gNBs in advance, then handover latency is reduced, but memory resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The gNB stores communication address information selectively - only for neighboring cells that are relevant to its served user equipment. The datastore maintains address information on a per-cell basis, allowing the system to optimize memory usage by storing only locally relevant information rather than maintaining a complete network-wide address database.
Solution Approach 2:
The system requests and stores address information for all neighboring cells controlled by other gNBs, which may be more than immediately needed. This excessive action ensures that when handover is required, the information is already available, and unused address entries simply occupy minimal memory resources compared to the benefit of reduced handover latency.
3Speed
If the network node directly notifies other gNBs of cell status changes, then handover procedures are accelerated, but the risk of notification errors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses an existing standardized interface and messaging protocol between gNBs as an intermediary mechanism for notification. Rather than implementing a custom direct notification system, the patent leverages established communication protocols that include error handling, acknowledgment, and validation mechanisms, thereby maintaining reliability while achieving fast notification.
4Measurement precision
If the gNB maintains updated information about all neighboring cells, then handover decisions are more accurate, but the complexity of information management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The information management system is segmented into modular components: a datastore for storing address information, a subscription module for receiving cell status updates, and an update module for maintaining information. This segmentation allows each component to handle specific tasks independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive and accurate neighboring cell information.
Data Source
AI summary
A network node for supporting providing radio coverage within one or more cells of a communication network. The network node is configured to, in response to receipt from a user equipment of an indication of a cell controlled by another network node, transmit to a central network node a request for an address for communication of the another network node. The network node is further configured to, in response to receipt from the central network node of the address for communication of the another network node, store the address for communication of the another network node in a datastore of the network node. The network node is further configured to, in response to receipt of an update on a status of the cell, update the datastore accordingly.