Source Access Network Device Core Network Load Balancing

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Solution Overview

Problem

In the transition from 4G to 5G mobile communication systems, there is a lack of effective methods for determining whether a terminal device should be handed over to a 5G core network or an EPC network during inter-RAT handovers, as current solutions rely on the source access network device to make this decision without clear criteria.

Innovation Solution

A communication method where the source access network device determines the serving core network for a terminal device by obtaining and analyzing core network load information, such as overload and capacity data, to balance the load between 4G and 5G core networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the source access network device determines the serving core network without clear criteria, then handover decisions can be made, but the determination accuracy and network resource allocation efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandover decision efficiencyVSAvoidcore network selection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces specific parameters including core network load information, terminal device capability information, and handover requirement information to transform the handover decision process from an ambiguous determination to a parameter-based decision system, thereby improving both efficiency and accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the source access network device obtains core network load information from target access network devices or core network elements, and uses this feedback to make informed handover decisions, ensuring accurate network selection while maintaining efficient decision-making

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If the source access network device obtains and analyzes core network load information to determine the serving core network, then the determination accuracy improves, but the signaling overhead and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecore network selection accuracyVSAvoidhandover decision system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having target access network devices prepare and provide core network load information in advance before handover decisions are made, allowing the source access network device to make accurate decisions without complex real-time analysis, thus reducing system complexity while maintaining high accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces core network elements (such as MME or AMF) as intermediaries that collect and manage core network load information, simplifying the architecture by centralizing information management and reducing the complexity burden on access network devices while ensuring accurate handover decisions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3923629B1Communication method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.09.04 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3923629B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3923629B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3923629B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A communication method and apparatus are provided, so that a source access network device determines a core network element accessed by a target access network device. A first access network device obtains core network load information, where the core network load information indicates load of a first core network element and/or load of a second core network element; and the first access network device determines, from the first core network element and the second core network element based on the core network load information, a core network element serving a terminal device.