Virtual eNodeB Handover Using HNG Call Context Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing handover procedures in cellular networks, particularly inter virtual-eNodeB handovers, lead to increased signaling and processing overload on the Mobility Management Entity (MME), especially when handling home-eNBs with non-matching eNodeB IDs, which is inefficient and burdensome.

Innovation Solution

Optimize handover processes within the HetNet Gateway (HNG) solution by using a virtual eNodeB database to manage handovers independently of MME, reducing signaling load and processing requirements through direct call context switching within the HNG network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If inter virtual eNodeB handover procedures are implemented, then handover functionality is achieved, but signaling load and processing overload on MME increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandover functionalityVSAvoidsignaling load on MME

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a HetNet Gateway as an intermediary component between eNodeBs and MME. The gateway maintains a virtual eNodeB database that stores mapping relationships between TACs and eNodeB IDs, allowing handover signaling to be processed at the gateway level rather than directly at MME, thus reducing MME signaling load while maintaining handover functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the handover processing function by separating the virtual eNodeB database and TAC-based routing logic from MME and placing them in the HetNet Gateway. This segmentation allows MME to focus on core mobility management while the gateway handles the complex eNodeB identification and routing tasks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If TAC-based routing is used for handover, then target eNodeB identification is achieved, but processing load on MME increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetarget eNodeB identificationVSAvoidprocessing load on MME

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The HetNet Gateway acts as an intermediary that performs TAC-based routing and eNodeB ID lookup using its local virtual eNodeB database, preventing these processing-intensive operations from occurring at MME while still achieving accurate target eNodeB identification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The virtual eNodeB database is pre-populated with TAC to eNodeB ID mappings during network setup and configuration phases. This preliminary action enables the gateway to perform rapid lookups during handover without requiring real-time processing at MME, thus reducing MME processing load

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12621723B2Inter virtual-eNodeB optimized handover for gateway core network (GWCN)

Publication Date: 2026.05.05 PARALLEL WIRELESS INC

AI summary

Methods, systems and computer readable media are disclosed for providing inter virtual-eNodeB optimized handover. In one example embodiment, a method includes sending, from a first eNodeB, a handover required message to a first HetNet Gateway (HNG)/virtual eNodeB; matching a target cell in a virtual eNodeB database; receiving, at a second eNodeB, a handover request from a second HNG/virtual eNodeB; sending, by the second eNodeB, a handover request acknowledge message to the second HNG/virtual eNodeB; and performing call context switching using the virtual eNodeB database.