Proxy Node Direct Interface for H(e)NB Handover Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity of establishing and maintaining direct interfaces between numerous Home (Evolved) NodeB (H(e)NBs in wireless communication systems increases the signaling load on the core network and affects performance due to limited hardware capabilities, making it challenging to manage handovers and load balance efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that establish a direct interface between an access network node and a proxy node, such as an HeNB GW, which simplifies the interface establishment and maintenance by exchanging information through the proxy node, reducing the complexity and signaling overhead, and enabling faster handovers and load balancing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If direct interfaces are established between numerous H(e)NBs to accelerate handover speed, then handover speed is improved, but device complexity and signaling load increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandover speedVSAvoidinterface management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a gateway node as an intermediary between H(e)NBs to manage direct interfaces. The gateway receives interface establishment requests, manages the direct interfaces, and forwards necessary signaling, thereby reducing the complexity for individual H(e)NBs while maintaining fast handover capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the interface management function by separating direct interface management from core network management. The direct interface between H(e)NBs is managed locally through the gateway, while the core network manages indirect interfaces, dividing the complex management task into manageable segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If direct interfaces are established between H(e)NBs to reduce core network signaling load, then signaling load is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignaling loadVSAvoidinterface establishment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway acts as a mediator that handles the complexity of direct interface establishment and maintenance. It manages the interface setup, configuration, and teardown, thereby reducing the signaling load on the core network while containing the complexity at the gateway level rather than distributing it across all H(e)NBs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables H(e)NBs to establish and maintain direct interfaces autonomously through the gateway without requiring core network involvement for each interface operation. The gateway provides self-service capabilities for interface management, reducing core network signaling load while managing complexity locally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2560454B1Method and system for implementing direct interface between access network nodes
Publication Date: 2019.05.29 ZTE CORP
  • EP2560454B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2560454B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2560454B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The disclosure provides a method and a system for implementing a direct interface between access network nodes. The method includes: establishing, by an access network node, a direct interface with a proxy node (300); exchanging, by the access network node, information with an access network node managed by the proxy node through the established direct interface (301). By establishing a direct interface between access network nodes and performing a direct interface flow through a proxy node, the disclosure simplifies the establishment and maintenance of the direct interface on the premise that the handover speed is increased and the signaling load of a core network is decreased, thereby reducing the complexity of the establishment and maintenance of the direct interface.