Virtualized eNB Connectivity via HetNet Gateway for Dynamic X2 Handover
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LTE radio access technologies face challenges in managing handovers between virtualized 4G and 5G base stations due to limitations in X2 interface connectivity, especially when multiple base stations share the same global IDs, leading to increased connection overhead and complexity.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a HetNet Gateway (HNG) that virtualizes baseband units and home eNodeBs over standard S1 and X2 interfaces, establishing indirect connectivity between virtualized 5G gENBs and 4G eNodeBs, and using a stateful proxy to manage X2 associations, reducing connection overhead and simplifying mesh topologies to a star topology.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If direct X2 interface connectivity is established between multiple virtualized base stations, then handover speed is improved, but connection overhead and network complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway as an intermediary node that virtualizes multiple base stations and manages X2 interface connections centrally. This gateway acts as a mediator between virtualized base stations, eliminating the need for direct peer-to-peer connections between all base station pairs. The gateway maintains X2 associations and routing information, enabling fast handovers while reducing overall network complexity by consolidating connection management.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple base stations share the same global IDs for resource pooling, then resource utilization is improved, but connection management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple base station identities and resources under a unified gateway management structure. Virtualized base stations share common global IDs and resources while the gateway maintains virtualization information and routing tables. This combining approach allows resource pooling and flexible allocation across multiple base stations without requiring complex peer-to-peer identity management between individual base stations.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for establishing indirect and/or dual connectivity between virtualized 5G gENBs and virtualized 4G eNodeBs for dynamic X2 is disclosed. In one embodiment a method includes virtualizing, with a HetNet Gateway (HNG), BBUs and home eNodeBs over a standard S1 interface; establishing the HING as a macro interfacing an EPC on 3GPP standard interfaces; communicating with an MME over the S1 interface for control plane signaling; and communicating with SAEGW over a standard GTPU interface for a data plane.