Self-Organized Emergency Mobile Core for Cellular Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In common cellular communication networks, if the core element becomes unavailable due to disasters, the Radio Access Network becomes useless, even if base stations are undamaged, necessitating a method to enable connectivity between client devices and base stations without additional efforts or adaptations.
Innovation Solution
A self-organized emergency mobile core is established by storing program code for core network functionality on stationary network elements, allowing virtual network functionality to activate automatically in case of core element unavailability, enabling connectivity between client devices and undamaged base stations without requiring additional efforts or adaptations, using software survival kits and virtualized network functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the core element becomes unavailable due to disasters, then the Radio Access Network becomes useless, but the base stations remain undamaged and available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing core network functionality software (software survival kit) on base stations before disasters occur. When the core element becomes unavailable, the base stations can immediately activate the pre-stored functionality to establish a standalone mobile core, eliminating the need for complex real-time deployment operations during emergencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements copying by creating a virtual replica of the core network functionality on base stations. Instead of physically replicating the entire core element, the essential software functions are copied to base stations, allowing them to operate independently when the original core element is unavailable.
2Reliability
If additional efforts or adaptations are made to enable standalone network operation, then connectivity can be maintained, but the system complexity and deployment difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling base stations to automatically detect core element unavailability and activate standalone mode without external intervention. The system monitors its own state and autonomously switches to alternative operation modes, eliminating the need for manual deployment efforts during emergencies.
Solution Approach 2:
By pre-configuring base stations with the software survival kit and automatic activation mechanisms before disasters occur, the patent eliminates the need for complex real-time deployment operations. The system is already prepared and can immediately transition to standalone operation when needed.
3Speed
If core network functionality is always active on stationary network elements, then emergency response is immediate, but normal operation efficiency is reduced due to continuous resource consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the core network functionality state-changing rather than static. The functionality remains dormant on base stations during normal operation to conserve resources, but can be quickly activated when core element unavailability is detected. This dynamic state transition enables immediate emergency response without continuous energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The software survival kit is pre-stored on base stations but remains inactive until needed. This preliminary preparation ensures immediate activation capability when disasters occur, while avoiding the energy waste of keeping the functionality continuously running during normal operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for establishing a self-organized emergency mobile core in a cellular communication network, the cellular communication network having a core element. The method includes the step of storing program code for implementing core network functionality on at least one stationary network element of the cellular communication network allowing to host virtual network functionality. The core network functionality remains inactive when the core element is available. The method includes the steps of detecting an emergency event within the cellular communication network resulting in an unavailability of the core element, and starting operating the core network functionality in order to establish a self-organized emergency mobile core in response to the detected emergency event.