Unified Tracking Area Paging Controller for 3GPP-3GPP2 Mobility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Transitions between new and legacy wireless communication systems generate excessive signaling traffic and call drops due to overlapping tracking areas and differing radio access technologies, leading to inefficient resource consumption and unreliable coverage.

Innovation Solution

A method is introduced to coordinate paging and location update processes between networks operating under different radio access technologies through a control plane interface, allowing for unified management of tracking areas and reduced redundant location updates, thereby minimizing signaling traffic and improving coverage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If mobile units transmit location update messages when crossing tracking area boundaries in both new and legacy wireless communication systems, then the network can accurately track mobile unit locations for paging, but excessive signaling traffic is generated due to overlapping tracking areas and transitions between different radio access technologies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation tracking accuracyVSAvoidsignaling traffic overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the location tracking functions of new and legacy wireless communication systems by introducing a unified tracking area concept that spans both networks. When a mobile unit transitions between new and legacy systems, it maintains the same tracking area identity, allowing the network to track the mobile unit's location without generating redundant location update messages in both systems simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The tracking area identity is designed to be universal across different radio access technologies. A single tracking area identity can be used by mobile units operating in both new and legacy wireless communication systems, enabling the network to universally track mobile units regardless of which radio access technology they are using, thereby reducing signaling overhead while maintaining location tracking accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If the network pages mobile units in multiple tracking areas to ensure coverage during transitions between new and legacy systems, then call drops are reduced, but network resources are consumed inefficiently due to redundant paging messages

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecall connection reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the paging areas of new and legacy wireless communication systems by implementing a unified tracking area structure. When a mobile unit is paged, the network pages it in a single tracking area that is recognized by both new and legacy systems, eliminating the need to page the same mobile unit in multiple overlapping tracking areas and reducing redundant paging messages while maintaining call connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate tracking areas are maintained for new and legacy wireless communication systems, then each system can independently manage its own mobility, but excessive signaling traffic and call drops occur during transitions between systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent system managementVSAvoidtransition reliability between systems

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal tracking area identity that functions across both new and legacy wireless communication systems. This allows each system to independently manage its own mobility while maintaining compatibility during transitions. The universal tracking area identity enables seamless handover between systems without requiring separate tracking area management, thereby improving transition reliability while preserving independent system management capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS7974228B2Method of signaling-free idle mode mobility for an integrated 3GPP and 3GPP2 network

Publication Date: 2011.07.05 NOKIA OF AMERICA CORP

AI summary

The present invention provides a method of operating a paging controller in a wireless communication system including a first network that operates according to a first radio access technology and a second network that operates according to a second radio access technology. The first network includes a first control plane entity and the second network includes a second control plane entity. The method includes providing, to at least one first base station in the first network, a request to transmit a page to a first tracking area associated with the mobile unit. The first tracking area is defined in the first network. The method also includes providing, via an interface between the first control plane entity and the second control plane entity, a request to transmit the page to a second tracking area associated with the mobile unit. The second tracking area is defined in the second network.