Source eNB X2 Connection Establishment via S1 Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current LTE systems lack the ability to effectively determine and establish direct or indirect X2 connections between eNBs during the connection establishment process, which hampers network performance.

Innovation Solution

A method where a source eNB sends a request via the S1 interface for a transport address to a target eNB, including information on the type of X2 connection to be established, and receives a response containing the necessary TNL address and interface type, allowing the source eNB to initiate the X2 connection accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a direct X2 connection is established between eNBs, then communication efficiency is improved, but the system lacks the capability to determine whether to establish direct or indirect connections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidconnection mode selection capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the target eNB responds to the source eNB's transport address request by indicating the appropriate connection mode (direct or indirect X2). This feedback loop enables the source eNB to make informed decisions about connection establishment, resolving the contradiction between communication efficiency and adaptability by providing the necessary information to select the optimal connection mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary information exchange mechanism through the S1 interface, where the MME facilitates the transmission of connection mode indication information between source and target eNBs. This intermediary approach enables the system to determine the appropriate connection mode without requiring direct eNB-to-eNB negotiation, thus enhancing adaptability while maintaining communication efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If no connection mode determination mechanism is implemented, then system complexity is reduced, but network performance enhancement is prevented

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection establishment complexityVSAvoidnetwork performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the connection establishment process into distinct phases: initial transport address request via S1 interface, connection mode determination based on received indication information, and subsequent X2 connection establishment. This segmentation allows the system to add functionality for performance enhancement without significantly increasing overall complexity, as each phase handles a specific task independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If transport address information is exchanged without connection mode indication, then the establishment process is simplified, but the ability to establish optimal connections is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaddress exchange processVSAvoidconnection establishment effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the target eNB include connection mode indication information in its response to the transport address request. This preliminary provision of connection mode information allows the source eNB to plan and execute the appropriate connection establishment procedure (direct or indirect X2) without requiring additional signaling exchanges, thus maintaining ease of operation while improving connection establishment effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3030036B1Methods, devices and system for establishing connection
Publication Date: 2019.07.10 ZTE CORP
  • EP3030036B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3030036B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3030036B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Disclosed are a method, device and system for establishing a connection. The method comprises the following steps: a source base station sending a message of requesting an opposite end to transmit an address through an S1 interface (101); the source base station receiving a response message of requesting the opposite end to transmit the address (102); and the source base station initiating an X2 interface establishment flow for a target base station according to the response message (103).