Relay Node Handover via Donor Station MME Pool
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Solution Overview
Problem
In LTE systems with relay nodes, the existing technologies fail to correctly determine the handover type for user equipment (UE) in coverage, leading to inefficiencies in handover procedures due to the inability of relay nodes to interact directly with Mobility Management Entities (MMEs) via S1 interfaces.
Innovation Solution
The method involves an access node, such as a relay node, obtaining mobility management entity pool (MME pool) information from a donor station to identify the MME to which the UE is attached, and using this information to determine whether the MME pool of the target access node belongs to the same pool, thereby deciding on either X2 or S1 handover based on the MME pool alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If relay nodes are introduced into the LTE system to extend coverage, then the coverage area is improved, but the relay nodes cannot correctly decide the handover type (X2 or S1) because they cannot directly interact with MMEs via S1 interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the donor station as an intermediary between the relay node and the MME. The donor station receives the handover request from the relay node, determines the handover type by accessing MME pool information, and executes the handover procedure. This intermediary approach allows relay nodes to perform handovers without direct S1 interface connectivity to MMEs, resolving the contradiction between extended coverage and handover decision capability.
2Device complexity
If relay nodes cannot obtain MME pool information, then the system complexity is reduced, but the handover procedure fails because the relay node cannot identify the correct MME pool for handover decision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the donor station obtain and store MME pool information in advance, before handover is needed. When a handover request arrives at the relay node, the donor station can immediately use the pre-obtained MME pool information to determine the handover type without requiring the relay node to directly query MMEs. This approach ensures handover reliability while maintaining simple relay node architecture.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a handover method, which includes: obtaining, by an obtaining node, mobility management entity pool MME pool information which is sent by a donor station of the access node and is used for identifying a mobility management entity MME to which a user equipment UE is attached; and initiating, by the access node, handover for the UE according to the MME pool information used for identifying the MME to which the UE is attached. The present invention further provides a communication device and a communication system. According to the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present invention, the handover may be successfully performed through MME pool information that is sent by the donor station of the access node and is of the MME to which the UE is attached.