Coordinated X2 Interface Removal Between Base Stations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mobile communication networks face challenges in efficiently and coordinately removing X2 communication interfaces between base station entities, leading to undefined situations due to uncoordinated removals, which can result in resource imbalances and interference.

Innovation Solution

A method for coordinated removal of direct communication interfaces between base station entities, involving a protocol with message exchanges to ensure both entities agree on the removal, including first and second removal messages with optional waiting intervals and rejection information, and a third message for confirmation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a direct communication interface (X2 interface) is established between base station entities to assist handover and coordinate radio resources, then communication efficiency and coordination capability are improved, but device complexity and resource management overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidinterface management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where base station entities exchange setup and release messages to confirm interface establishment and removal. This feedback loop ensures both entities are aware of the interface state, preventing undefined situations and reducing management overhead through coordinated state transitions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent requires preliminary setup messages to be exchanged before the X2 interface becomes operational, and preliminary release messages to be exchanged before interface removal. This preliminary action ensures proper state transitions and prevents resource imbalances by preparing both entities in advance for interface state changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If X2 communication interfaces are removed without coordination between base station entities, then resource management becomes simpler, but network stability deteriorates due to undefined situations and resource imbalances

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterface management complexityVSAvoidnetwork stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The release procedure implements bidirectional feedback through release messages exchanged between base station entities. Each entity confirms the interface removal to the other, ensuring both sides are synchronized and preventing network instability caused by asymmetric interface states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the interface removal process into a coordinated protocol where both base station entities participate in the release decision and execution. This merging ensures that interface removal only occurs when both entities agree, maintaining network stability while managing resources efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If multiple X2 communication interfaces are established to support numerous base station connections, then communication coverage and coordination capability improve, but loss of time increases due to managing interface removals when maximum interfaces are reached

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication coverageVSAvoidinterface removal time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary assessments during the setup phase to determine whether an existing interface should be released before establishing a new one. By evaluating release conditions in advance and exchanging setup/release messages proactively, the system avoids time-consuming interface removal operations during peak load conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3172940B1Method, mobile communication network and computer program product for an optimzed removal of the interface between base stations
Publication Date: 2019.08.28 DEUTSCHE TELEKOM AG
  • EP3172940B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for improved communication between network nodes of a mobile communication network, wherein the mobile communication network comprises an access network and a core network, wherein the access network comprises a plurality of base station entities, the plurality of base station entities comprising at least a first base station entity, a second base station entity, and further base station entities, wherein the base station entities of the plurality of base station entities are enabled to be able to communicate directly with each other using a communication interface between two base station entities, respectively, of the plurality of base station entities, wherein in order to establish the communication interface between the first and second base station entities, a first instance of the communication interface is generated at the first base station entity and a second instance of the communication interface is generated at the second base station entity, wherein the method comprises the following steps: -- in a first step, the first and second instances of the communication interface are generated and the communication interface is established between the first and second base station entities, -- in a second step, subsequent to the first step, the first and second instances of the communication interface are removed and the communication interface between the first and second base station entities is disabled in case that -- at least a first removal message is transmitted from a removal initiating base station entity among the first and second base station entities to a removal responding base station entity among the first and second base station entities and -- at least a second removal message is transmitted from the removal responding base station entity to the removal initiating base station entity, wherein either the first base station entity is the removal initiating base station entity and the second base station entity is the removal responding base station entity, or the first base station entity is the removal responding base station entity and the second base station entity is the removal initiating base station entity.