S-GW Mismatch Detection for Small Cell Mobility in Wireless Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, dual connectivity between macro and small cell eNBs can fail due to being connected to different serving gateways (S-GWs), leading to connectivity issues.
Innovation Solution
A method is implemented where a mobility management entity (MME) receives path notification information from a macro eNB and transmits a failure message or acknowledge message with a failure indication to the eNB, if the macro and small cell eNBs are connected to different S-GWs, preventing unnecessary attempts at dual connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If dual connectivity is attempted between macro eNB and small cell eNB connected to different S-GWs, then small cell mobility and capacity are improved, but dual connectivity fails due to gateway mismatch
Solution Approach 1:
The MME performs preliminary checking of S-GW connection compatibility before initiating dual connectivity setup. By verifying whether the macro eNB and small cell eNB are connected to the same S-GW in advance, the system prevents failed connectivity attempts and avoids wasting resources on impossible configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the MME provides information about S-GW connection status to the macro eNB. This feedback enables the macro eNB to make informed decisions about dual connectivity attempts, avoiding configurations that would fail due to gateway mismatches.
2Speed
If dual connectivity setup is attempted without S-GW compatibility checking, then setup speed is improved, but repeated failures occur due to gateway mismatch
Solution Approach 1:
The S-GW compatibility check is performed as a preliminary action during the path notification phase, before the dual connectivity setup proceeds. This early verification prevents subsequent failures and eliminates the need for retry attempts, thereby saving time overall despite the additional initial checking step.
Solution Approach 2:
The potential harm of additional checking overhead is converted into a benefit by preventing repeated failed attempts. The initial time investment in compatibility verification eliminates subsequent time losses from failed setups and retries, making the overall process more efficient.
3Reliability
If path notification information is checked for S-GW compatibility, then dual connectivity reliability is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The S-GW compatibility check is merged into the existing path notification procedure. By integrating the compatibility verification into the already-required path notification signaling between MME and macro eNB, the system avoids creating separate dedicated signaling messages, thereby minimizing additional overhead while achieving reliability improvement.
Solution Approach 2:
The path notification message serves multiple functions: it notifies the macro eNB about the small cell eNB's path information and simultaneously conveys S-GW compatibility status. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated signaling messages for compatibility checking.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for transmitting information on a serving gateway (S-GW) in a wireless communication system is provided. A mobility management entity (MME) or a small cell evolved NodeB (SeNB) which manages a small cell, transmits an indication to a macro eNB (MeNB), if the MeNB and the SeNB are connected to different S-GWs from each other.