RAN Server Unified Signaling for 5G Core Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of New Radio (NR) technology with existing wireless communications standards leads to additional latency and increased signaling complexity due to either tight coupling, which restricts direct access to the core network, or loose coupling, which results in non-unified signaling.
Innovation Solution
A Radio Access Network (RAN) server is introduced to centrally manage base stations of multiple wireless communications standards, utilizing a unified interface with the 5G core network to enable unified signaling and independent data transmission, thereby allowing terminals to access the 5G core network regardless of the wireless communications standard used.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If tight coupling architecture is used to integrate NR technology with LTE system, then device complexity is reduced, but additional latency is caused due to indirect core network access
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into independent functional modules: NR nodes can independently access the core network while maintaining LTE connectivity through the eNB. This segmentation allows each node to operate autonomously, eliminating the indirect access path and reducing latency without increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dual-connectivity mechanism where the terminal can simultaneously connect to both LTE eNB and NR nodes. The LTE system acts as an intermediary that maintains backward compatibility while the NR node provides direct core network access, thus resolving the latency issue without compromising system integration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If loose coupling architecture is used to integrate NR technology with LTE system, then access flexibility is improved, but signaling complexity is increased due to non-unified signaling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a unified signaling mechanism that can handle both LTE and NR access types through the same signaling procedures. The core network is designed to universally process attach requests from terminals regardless of whether they access via LTE or NR, thus maintaining access flexibility while reducing signaling complexity through standardization.
Solution Approach 2:
The signaling protocols are homogenized across LTE and NR interfaces. The patent ensures that the same signaling messages and procedures are used for both access types, creating a homogeneous signaling framework that simplifies the overall system while maintaining the ability to support multiple access technologies.
3Device complexity
If tight coupling architecture is used, then signaling complexity is reduced, but additional latency is caused due to restricted direct access
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the access path based on the terminal's capabilities and network conditions. When NR is available, the terminal can dynamically switch to direct core network access through the NR node, reducing latency. The signaling framework remains unified and manageable, adapting to different access scenarios without increasing complexity.
4Speed
If loose coupling architecture is used to enable direct core network access, then access speed is improved, but signaling complexity is increased due to multiple signaling types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the signaling parameters to create a unified framework that supports both LTE and NR access. By standardizing the signaling messages and procedures, the system maintains fast direct access through NR while keeping signaling complexity manageable through parameter unification and standardized protocols.
Data Source
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AI summary
A RAN server, a wireless communications system, and a terminal attach method are provided. The RAN server configured to centrally manage base stations of a plurality of wireless communications standards is introduced, and the RAN server is used as a central node to implement a unified interface to a core network. A base station that is of any wireless communications standard and that is managed by the RAN server may independently provide a data transmission service to a terminal, so that the wireless communications system provided in this application basically does not cause an additional latency. In addition, a TAI unrelated to a wireless communications standard of a base station is carried in an attach request message, an attach accept message, and an attach complete message that are exchanged in a terminal attach process, so that a 5G CN is unaware that the terminal is using a base station of which type of wireless communications standard to initiate the attach process. Therefore, an attach procedure with same signaling can be used regardless of a wireless communications standard of a base station that is used by the terminal to access the 5G CN, thereby achieving signaling unification.