Wireless Coverage Migration Across Access Points Without Service Disruption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern communication networks face challenges in migrating network functions without affecting network performance, particularly when transitioning between different network equipment or virtualized functions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for migrating wireless coverage among access points by identifying and instantiating a second network function at second network equipment, designating it to serve a subset of the resource grid, and transitioning user equipment to this new function using processes like reselection, redirection, or handover, based on activity levels and cell planning data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network functions are migrated between access points, then network availability and maintenance capability are improved, but connection disruption and performance degradation occur during transition
Solution Approach 1:
The system instantiates a second network function at a target access point before deactivating the first network function. This preliminary action ensures that the target access point is ready to receive and serve user equipment, enabling seamless transition without connection disruption. The second network function is configured with the same service configuration as the first, ensuring continuity of service during the migration process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a controller as an intermediary to manage the migration process between access points. The controller coordinates the deactivation of the first network function and activation of the second network function, ensuring proper timing and configuration. This intermediary management enables controlled migration that maintains network availability while minimizing connection disruption.
2Productivity
If network functions are instantiated at multiple access points, then load balancing capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the service area into different resource grids and assigns different network functions to different access points. Each access point can instantiate network functions for specific segments of the service area, enabling load balancing across multiple access points. This segmentation approach allows flexible distribution of network functions while maintaining manageable complexity through structured resource grid division.
3Ease of manufacture
If network functions are deactivated without proper migration, then maintenance operations are simplified, but service continuity is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by instantiating the second network function at the target access point before deactivating the first network function. This ensures that service continuity is maintained during maintenance operations, as the second network function is already configured and ready to take over. The controller coordinates this process to ensure seamless transition, allowing maintenance to be performed without compromising service continuity.
Data Source
AI summary
The technologies described herein are generally directed toward migrating wireless coverage among access points. In an embodiment, a method can include identifying a first network function of a network provided by first network equipment, with the first network function serving a resource grid of a geographic area, and with the resource grid being designated to serve a selected user equipment in the geographic area. The method can further include instantiating a second network function of the network at second network equipment, with the second network function serving a first subset of the resource grid. Further, the method can include designating the first network function to serve a second subset of the resource grid, different from the first subset of the resource grid. The method can further include designating the second network function to serve, after connection of the selected user equipment, the second subset of the resource grid.