User Equipment MME Selection in LTE Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current techniques for user control over LTE core network selection, particularly MME selection, are not efficient or effective.

Innovation Solution

User Equipment (UE) processes MME selection data to select one of multiple Mobility Management Entities (MMEs) based on user input, time, location, and mobility status, allowing secure user control over MME and core network selection, and facilitates seamless switching between different MMEs and core networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the LTE edge systems automatically select MME based on load balancing, then network resource utilization is improved, but user control over MME selection is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork resource utilizationVSAvoiduser control
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the MME selection control into two parts: automatic selection based on load balancing for general cases, and user-defined selection for specific scenarios. This allows both network optimization and user control to coexist by dividing the decision-making process into automated and manual components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic MME selection where the system can switch between automatic load-balancing-based selection and user-defined selection based on real-time conditions. The UE can dynamically choose different MMEs based on user preferences, location, time, or service type while the network maintains load balancing capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the UE monitors all supported radio access technologies, then service availability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice availabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making the UE monitor different radio access technologies with different frequencies or selectively based on location, time, or service type. Instead of uniform monitoring of all RATs, the system tailors monitoring behavior to specific contexts, reducing energy consumption while maintaining service availability where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial monitoring where the UE monitors only a subset of supported radio access technologies at any given time based on user-defined rules and current context. This partial action approach reduces energy consumption compared to monitoring all RATs continuously, while still maintaining adequate service availability through selective monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If the UE switches between different MMEs and core networks, then service continuity is improved, but network switching complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice continuityVSAvoidnetwork switching
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by having the UE pre-configure multiple MMEs and core networks in the background before switching is needed. The system maintains a list of available MMEs with their capabilities and characteristics, so when switching is required, the UE can quickly select an appropriate target without complex real-time decision-making, thus maintaining service continuity while reducing switching complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3165015B1User equipment control in a multi-core long term evolution system
Publication Date: 2020.09.23 SPRINT COMMUNICATIONS CO LP
  • EP3165015B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3165015B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3165015B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a Long Term Evolution (LTE) communication system (100, 300), a User Equipment (UE) (105, 305, 600) receives Mobility Management Entity (MME) selection data. The UE (105, 305, 600) processes the MME selection data to select one of multiple MMEs (101-103). The UE (105, 305, 600) wirelessly transfers an LTE attachment request to an LTE access point (110). The LTE attachment request indicates the selected MME (101-103). The UE (105, 305, 600) wirelessly receives an attachment acceptance from the selected MME (101-103) through the LTE access point (110) in response to selecting and indicating the MME (100-103) in the LTE attachment request.