RAN Disaster Broadcast Switching for PLMN Service Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems fail to effectively notify users of a disaster situation, leading to service interruptions in wireless networks, especially in events like fires or earthquakes where multiple network installations are compromised.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for a Radio Access Network (RAN) node to detect a problem in the interface with a core network and transmit a disaster broadcast message to User Equipment (UE), informing them of the disaster condition and providing information about an alternative Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) to minimize service disruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple wired networks and core network nodes are installed for backup, then service availability is improved, but vulnerability to regional disasters worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the network into multiple geographically separated regions, each with its own core network nodes and wired networks. When a disaster occurs in one region, only the network elements in that specific region are affected, while other regions continue to operate normally. This segmentation prevents regional disasters from causing complete service outages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a disaster information notification mechanism that acts as an intermediary between the affected network and user equipment. When a disaster is detected in a region, the system sends notifications to UEs in that region, enabling them to proactively switch to networks in other regions before service is completely lost, thus maintaining service availability.
2Loss of information
If traditional broadcast messages are transmitted during disaster, then information delivery is attempted, but service interruption worsens due to network overload
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of transmitting complete traditional broadcast messages that consume significant network resources, the patent sends only essential disaster information notifications. These notifications contain critical data about the disaster condition and alternative network options, enabling UEs to make switching decisions without requiring full broadcast message processing, thus reducing network overload.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the most critical information from traditional broadcast messages - specifically disaster condition status and alternative network identification - and transmits this extracted information as a simplified notification. This extraction reduces message size and processing requirements, preventing network overload while still delivering essential disaster information.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for notifying of a disaster situation by a radio access network (RAN) node. When the RAN node detects that a problem in an interface between the RAN node and a core network related to a public land mobile network (PLMN) has occurred, the RAN node stops transmitting a broadcast message currently being transmitted to a user equipment (UE), and transmits a disaster broadcast message to the UE. The disaster broadcast message includes: (i) information indicating that a disaster condition applies to a first PLMN; and (ii) information regarding a second PLMN related to the disaster condition. The disaster condition corresponds to the problem in the interface between the RAN node and the core network related to the first PLMN. The UE adjusts priorities of an PLMN selection based on information included in the disaster broadcast message for selecting the second PLMN.