RIC Mobility Context for 5G Paging Optimization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In telecom networks, the dynamic nature of UE context at access nodes leads to overhead and delays when Core Nodes handle UE mobility and policy enforcement, especially with the advent of ORAN and 5G, as the context is deleted upon UE movement, losing reference to UE mobility information and patterns.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a semi-permanent UE context at the Non Realtime RIC, which collects dynamic data from Access Nodes (O-CU/O-DU, O-eNB) to enforce policies and optimize UE mobility management, using RIC to create and update mobility context and push policies for paging optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Core Nodes maintain UE context and handle UE mobility, then security is preserved, but processing overhead and delays increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the UE context management function by creating a distributed context cache at Access Nodes that stores copies of UE context information. This allows Core Nodes to maintain security while Access Nodes handle mobility-related processing locally, reducing the overhead on Core Nodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary context cache mechanism at Access Nodes that mediates between Core Nodes and UEs. This cache stores UE context information locally, allowing Access Nodes to make mobility decisions without constant Core Node involvement, thus reducing processing overhead while maintaining security through controlled access to context data.
2Ease of operation
If Access Nodes maintain temporary UE context, then mobility management is simplified, but context is lost when UE moves to other nodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the temporary context storage at Access Nodes with a distributed context cache mechanism. Multiple Access Nodes maintain copies of UE context in their caches, so when a UE moves between nodes, the context information is already available at the new node, preventing information loss and simplifying mobility management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-populating context caches at multiple Access Nodes before UE movement occurs. When context information is available at one node, it is proactively distributed to caches at other potential serving nodes, ensuring context continuity when the UE moves without requiring real-time context transfer.
3Extent of automation
If Core Nodes handle all policy enforcement, then centralized control is maintained, but network overhead and delays increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments policy enforcement functionality by enabling Access Nodes to perform local policy decisions using cached UE context information. This allows routine policy enforcement to occur locally without Core Node involvement, reducing delays, while Core Nodes maintain centralized control for critical policy decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic policy enforcement where Access Nodes can make local policy decisions based on cached context when appropriate, and escalate to Core Nodes only when needed. This dynamic approach reduces delays for common operations while maintaining centralized control for important policies, optimizing the balance between autonomy and centralization.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a method is disclosed for providing paging optimization using RIC/ORAN in 5G and 4G Systems, the method comprising: creating, by the RIC, mobility context and updating the mobility context based on UEs mobility information received from the CUs and eNBs; pushing, by the RIC, the policy to connected O-CUs/O-eNBs to forward paging whenever received from AMF/MME; buffering, by the O-CU/O-eNB buffers, the paging message, starting a timer and forwarding the paging message to RIC; performing, by the RIC, an STMSI lookup and if the RIC finds the UE context, identifying a target O-CU/target O-eNB and sending the corresponding DU/sectors where paging needs to be sent based on a calculated UE location; sending, by the targeted O-CU/O-CUs/O-eNBs, stage 1 paging to the DU/sectors; intimating, by the O-CU/O-eNB, the RIC about successful paging and deleting the buffered paging; notifying, by the RIC, other O-CUs/O-eNBs for paging cancellation so that other O-CUs/O-eNBs discard the buffered paging message; and continuing, by the O-CU/O-eNB, with normal paging when no paging cancellation is received from the RIC.