Small Cell Gateway Virtual Cells Control Packet Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In ultra-dense networks, the high loading on small cell gateways and core network hardware/software due to the need for rapid handovers and increased S1/NG connections leads to increased costs, with current methods unable to efficiently manage individual transmission paths for control and data packets.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing at least two virtual cells connected to a core network device, where control packets are routed through these virtual cells during handovers, allowing the core network to process connections independently, reducing the load on the small cell gateway and core network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the small cell gateway gathers all data packets transmitted to or received from user devices, then the core network loading is reduced, but the small cell gateway loading becomes considerably heavy and hardware/software costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the packet handling function by separating control packets from data packets. The small cell gateway only gathers control packets (S1/NG interface packets) while data packets are forwarded directly between small cells and the core network. This segmentation reduces the small cell gateway's processing load while maintaining core network control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the data packet forwarding function from the small cell gateway and assigns it directly to the core network. Only control packets are retained at the small cell gateway, while data packets bypass the gateway and are handled directly by the core network, thereby reducing gateway complexity.
2Device complexity
If the small cell gateway gathers only control packets rather than data packets, then the small cell gateway loading is reduced, but current handover methods cannot be applied and individual transmission paths for control and data packets must be established
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mapping relationship between small cells and virtual cells as an intermediary mechanism. The small cell gateway uses this mapping to route control packets appropriately during handovers, enabling handover functionality without requiring the gateway to handle data packets. This intermediary mapping table allows the system to maintain handover capabilities while keeping the gateway lightweight.
3Productivity
If more S1/NG connections are established to control increasing small cells, then network control capability is improved, but hardware and software costs of the core network greatly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of small cells (virtual cells) that are managed by the small cell gateway. Instead of establishing separate S1/NG connections for each physical small cell to the core network, multiple small cells can be represented as virtual cells under a single gateway connection. This copying mechanism allows the core network to control multiple small cells through fewer connections, reducing hardware and software costs.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for gathering small cells is provided. In the method, an instruction gathering device gathers connections of the small cells for transmitting control packets, and provides at least two virtual cells to process the connections. When a user device switches the connection to another small cell, the instruction gathering device also assigns another virtual cell to process the control packets related to the user device. The virtual cells partially replace contents of the control packets before forwarding the control packets.