Mobile Network X2 Interface Congestion Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mobile communications networks, the X2 interface between serving and co-operating base stations becomes congested due to limited bandwidth, especially when multiple communications terminals are transmitting or receiving data, as it must carry user data, scheduling assignments, and control information.
Innovation Solution
Establishing a separate communications bearer from the serving gateway to the co-operating base station, bypassing the serving base station, to reduce the bandwidth burden on the X2 interface and allow efficient communication of user data directly to the co-operating base station based on the quality of the radio communications link.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If user data is transmitted through the serving base station via the X2 interface to the co-operating base station, then the network architecture maintains centralized control, but the X2 interface becomes congested due to limited bandwidth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data transmission path by establishing separate S1-U interfaces from the serving gateway directly to each co-operating base station, dividing the previously single X2 interface path into multiple independent paths. This reduces the bandwidth burden on any single interface while maintaining network control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to the data transmission architecture by introducing direct S1-U interface connections from the serving gateway to co-operating base stations, transforming the traditional two-dimensional path (serving BS → X2 interface → co-operating BS) into a multi-dimensional network topology with parallel transmission paths.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple communications terminals transmit data through the same co-operating base station, then resource sharing is optimized, but the X2 interface bandwidth requirement increases causing congestion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the aggregate data flow from multiple terminals by routing each terminal's data through dedicated S1-U interface paths to the appropriate co-operating base station, preventing the accumulation of bandwidth demands on a single X2 interface while maintaining efficient resource sharing at the base station level.
3Productivity
If a separate communications bearer is established from the serving gateway to the co-operating base station, then the bandwidth burden on the X2 interface is reduced, but the network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the serving gateway multi-functional by enabling it to directly communicate with multiple co-operating base stations through separate S1-U interfaces, allowing the gateway to perform both centralized data routing and direct data transmission functions, thereby reducing X2 interface usage without significantly increasing overall network complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile communications network includes a core network including infrastructure equipment, and a radio network including plural base stations to provide a wireless access interface for communicating data to/from communications terminals. One base station operates as a serving base station to one of the communications terminals, to establish one or more communications bearers for communicating user data to/from the communications terminal via the core network and the radio network via the serving base station, and to co-operate with at least another base station to communicate the user data to/from the communications terminal. The mobile communications network can monitor a state of a radio communications channel between the co-operating base station and the communications terminal, and upon predetermined conditions, establish a communications bearer from the core network to the co-operating base station for communicating the user data to the co-operating base station transmitting the user data to the communications terminal.