Secondary GNB Data Volume Control via Master Base Station Mediator
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G NSA networks, there is no direct method for the NR base station to report data usage to the core network due to the lack of a separate procedure for connecting the control protocols between the NR base station and the EPC network, making it difficult to accurately bill and manage data usage across different radio access technologies.
Innovation Solution
A method is proposed where a master base station receives data volume information from a secondary NR base station and transmits a secondary RAT data usage report message to the MME using an S1-C interface, enabling the measurement and reporting of NR data usage to the core network, even when the NR base station and LTE base station employ different radio access technologies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If dual connectivity is configured with LTE base station as master and NR base station as secondary, then high-capacity and high-speed data processing requirements are met, but separate data usage identification and billing for NR radio resources becomes difficult due to lack of direct control protocol connection between NR base station and EPC network
Solution Approach 1:
The master base station acts as an intermediary between the secondary base station and the core network. It receives data volume information from the secondary base station via the X2 interface and forwards this information to the MME through the S1 interface, enabling the core network to obtain NR data usage information without requiring direct control protocol connections between the secondary base station and EPC network
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary base station autonomously measures and counts the data volume using its radio resources, then reports this information to the master base station. This self-measurement capability ensures accurate data usage tracking while maintaining the independence of the secondary base station's radio resource management
2Device complexity
If control protocols of NR base station and EPC network are not directly connected, then network simplicity is maintained, but no separate procedure exists for identifying data usage using NR radio resources
Solution Approach 1:
The data usage reporting function is segmented into separate components: the secondary base station performs local measurement and counting of NR data volume, reports this information to the master base station through X2 interface, and the master base station forwards it to the core network through S1 interface. This segmentation allows data usage detection without requiring direct control protocol connections
Solution Approach 2:
The master base station serves as a mediator that bridges the gap between the secondary base station's measurement capabilities and the core network's billing requirements, enabling data usage identification through indirect information transfer rather than direct protocol connection
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a method and an apparatus for controlling NR data volume based on an interface between an NR base station and an LTE base station and an interface between an EPC and the LTE base station in a 5G non-standalone (NSA) network structure using an LTE EPC as a core network. The method includes receiving information about the volume of data that the secondary base station transmits to and receives from a terminal using a radio resource of the secondary base station from the secondary base station, and transmitting a secondary RAT data usage report message including the information about the volume of data the secondary base station transmits to and receives from the terminal using the radio resource of the secondary base station from the secondary base station to a mobility management entity (MME) using an S1-C interface.