Signaling Controller Relay WCD Transition
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication networks, particularly with relay base stations, maintaining connectivity when a signaling controller is taken out of service is challenging, leading to disruptions in network connectivity and IP address assignments, especially when many relay base stations are involved, causing significant core network and user experience issues.
Innovation Solution
A method is implemented to proactively identify and transition relay-WCDs providing wireless backhaul connectivity to a different signaling controller before the original controller is taken out of service, ensuring continuous network connectivity and IP address maintenance for relay base stations, while allowing conventional WCDs to detach and reattach as usual.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If relay-WCDs are allowed to detach and reattach when a signaling controller is taken out of service, then conventional WCDs can be served normally, but relay base stations lose connectivity and IP addresses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments WCDs into two categories: relay-WCDs that provide wireless backhaul connectivity and conventional WCDs. This segmentation allows differential handling during signaling controller maintenance - relay-WCDs are proactively transitioned to maintain relay base station connectivity, while conventional WCDs follow standard detach-reattach procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary identification of relay-WCDs before the signaling controller is taken out of service. By proactively transitioning relay-WCDs to different signaling controllers in advance, the patent prevents connectivity loss for relay base stations before it occurs, rather than reacting after the problem arises
2Reliability
If relay-WCDs are proactively transitioned to different signaling controllers, then relay base station connectivity is maintained, but core network signaling load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The proactive transition of relay-WCDs is performed before the signaling controller is taken out of service, during a controlled maintenance window. This timing strategy allows the network to manage signaling load during off-peak periods rather than creating sudden signaling spikes during actual outages
3Duration of action of stationary object
If relay-WCDs maintain continuous connectivity during signaling controller maintenance, then relay base station service is uninterrupted, but IP address assignment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specialized gateway system that acts as an intermediary for relay-WCDs. This gateway maintains IP address assignments and provides internal core network connectivity, simplifying the IP address management process during transitions between signaling controllers
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for managing connectivity when a signaling controller is going to be taken out of service. The method involves determining that a WCD served by the signaling controller provides wireless backhaul connectivity for a relay base station, and responsively taking action to proactively transition that WCD from being served by the signaling controller to being served by a different signaling controller without the WCD detaching and reattaching. This may enable the WCD to maintain its network connectivity, including its assigned network address, and may thus enable the relay base station to maintain its network connectivity as well, thereby helping to maintain connectivity for WCDs served by the relay base station and continuity of interfaces between the relay base station and other core network entities.