UE Attachment to Multiple MMEs for Multi-Service Coordination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current LTE networks are inefficient in handling UE attachments to multiple MMEs for multiple data services, as eNodeBs are not effective in coordinating session control and Non-Access Stratum signaling across multiple Mobility Management Entities.

Innovation Solution

A wireless base station receives signaling from User Equipment indicating multiple data services and transfers this information to selected MMEs, enabling each MME to perform session control and exchange Non-Access Stratum signaling, thereby coordinating the delivery of multiple data services across multiple MMEs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If eNodeBs handle MME hand-overs for UE mobility, then UE mobility management is achieved, but the eNodeBs are not efficient and effective when attaching a UE to multiple MMEs for multiple data services

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to attach UE to multiple MMEsVSAvoidefficiency of handling multi-MME attachments

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the service attachment process by introducing separate service attachment signaling paths for each MME. Instead of a single centralized attachment process, the system divides the attachment into multiple independent service-specific attachments, allowing each MME to handle its own service attachments efficiently without coordinating with other MMEs through the eNodeB.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new intermediary mechanism where the MME directly receives service attachment signaling from the UE via the eNodeB, bypassing the need for eNodeB to coordinate between multiple MMEs. This intermediary role allows the MME to directly manage service attachments while the eNodeB simply relays signaling, improving overall system efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If a single MME handles all data services for a UE, then session control is simplified, but the system cannot effectively support multiple data services with different MME requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesession control efficiencyVSAvoidability to support multiple data services

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments service control by allowing different MMEs to handle different data services for the same UE. Each service attachment is processed independently by the appropriate MME based on service type, enabling specialized handling of different services while maintaining efficient session control within each MME.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal attachment mechanism where the UE can attach to multiple MMEs for different services using the same basic attachment procedure. The service attachment signaling is universally processed by any MME, allowing the system to flexibly allocate services to appropriate MMEs based on service requirements rather than requiring dedicated handling for each service type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If eNodeBs coordinate session control across multiple MMEs, then multi-service support is achieved, but the coordination complexity increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-service multi-MME supportVSAvoidcoordination complexity in eNodeB

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the coordination function from the eNodeB and relocates it to the MMEs. Instead of the eNodeB coordinating between multiple MMEs, each MME independently receives service attachment signaling from the UE and handles its own service attachments. This extraction eliminates the complex coordination burden from the eNodeB while maintaining multi-service support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables each MME to serve itself by directly receiving service attachment signaling from the UE without requiring coordination with other MMEs through the eNodeB. Each MME autonomously processes service attachments for its assigned services, eliminating the need for inter-MME coordination and significantly reducing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9756597B1User equipment (UE) attachment to multiple mobility management entities (MMES) for multiple data services

Publication Date: 2017.09.05 T MOBILE INNOVATIONS LLC

AI summary

A wireless base station receives signaling from User Equipment (UE) that indicates multiple data services. The base station transfers signaling indicating the data services to a Mobility Management Entity (MME). The MME selects individual MMEs to support the individual data services and transfers signaling indicating the MME/service combinations. The base station receives the MME/service combinations and transfers signaling to the selected MMEs indicating their data services for the UE. The MMEs perform session control for the data services for the UE. The MMEs also exchange Non-Access Stratum (NAS) signaling for the data services with the UE over the wireless base station.