Methods and devices for optimal selection of core network nodes in a cellular communication network
AssigneeTelefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (publ)
InventorsHeino Hameleers, Frank Hundscheidt, Martin Kaibel, Kathrin Kaibel
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Abstract
Devices and methods for selecting network nodes in a cellular communication network. By dropping fixed connections between network nodes of different hierarchy levels, for instance, a network node of an access network has to make a selection among different core network nodes. The selected core network node requires service information on the access network node and the area serviced by the access network node. Devices and methods are disclosed for selecting network nodes and for providing service information. The devices can be implemented in the network centrally or in a distributed manner.
Claims18
Selection device (AVK1, AVK2) for selecting network nodes in a cellular communication network wherein a plurality of access network nodes can cooperate with a plurality of core network nodes in an n:m relation, wherein at least one of the access network nodes is capable of cooperating with more than one core network node, the selection device comprising an input/output unit (EAE1, EAE2) for receiving network node requests and for releasing a network node identification of the network node allocated to a network node request characterised by
- a node capacity memory (KKD1, KKD2) for storing parameters, and
- a processing unit (AWE1, AWE2) for analyzing network node requests and for selecting a network node by means of the analysis result and the parameters stored in the node capacity memory.
Network node (KDK3), for a communication network wherein a plurality of access network nodes can cooperate with a plurality of core network nodes in an n:m relation wherein at least one of the access network nodes is capable of cooperating with more than one core network node, and wherein the network node is characterized by a state analyzing unit (ZAE3) establishing internal states of the network node, a memory unit (ZSE3) storing evaluations of the internal states, an updating unit (AAE3) evaluating internal states of the network node, comparing them with stored evaluations and sending a message for updating parameters of the network node to a selection device in dependence on the result of the comparison.
Configuration data base (KDB5) for a communication network wherein a plurality of access network nodes can cooperate with a plurality of core network nodes in an n:m relation, wherein at least one of the access network nodes is capable of cooperating with more than one core network node, and wherein the configuration database is characterized by
- a memory unit (SPE5) for storing service information, a selection unit (SE5) for selecting service information for a network node, and an input/output unit (EAE5) for receiving service information requests and for sending service information to the network node or a visitor location register allocated thereto.
Method for selecting a network node in a cellular communication network wherein a plurality of access network nodes can cooperate with a plurality of core network nodes in an n:m relation, wherein at least one of the access network nodes is capable of cooperating with more than one core network node, and wherein the method comprises the following steps:
- receiving a network node request,
- analyzing the network node request,
- selecting a network node by comparing the result of the analysis with stored parameters of at least one network node,
- sending an identification of the selected network node to the sender of the network node request.
Method for modifying data stored in a node capacity memory (KKD1, KKD2) for a communication network, wherein a plurality of access network nodes can cooperate with a plurality of core network nodes in an n:m relation, wherein at least one of the access network nodes is capable of cooperating with more than one core network node, and wherein the method comprises the following steps:
- receiving a modification message (MM81;
- MM92) for at least one network node,
- comparing the content of the modification message with entries in said node capacity memory (KKD1), and
- enabling or disabling a selection of the at least one network node according to the content of the modification message by modifying the respective at least one entry in the node capacity memory for said at least one network node, depending on the result of the comparison.
Method for controlling a network node in a communication network wherein a plurality of access network nodes can cooperate with a plurality of core network nodes in an n:m relation, wherein at least one of the access network nodes is capable of cooperating with more than one core network node, and wherein the method comprises the following steps:
- recognizing the necessity to cooperate with an additional network node,
- establishing requests to the additional network node,
- sending the requests in a network node request to a selection device,
- receiving an identification of the additional network node, and
- contacting the additional network node.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.