Inter virtual-eNodeB optimized handover for gateway core network (GWCN)
Methods, systems and computer readable media are disclosed for providing inter virtual-eNodeB optimized handover. In one example embodiment, a method includes sending, from a first eNodeB, a handover required message to a first HetNet Gateway (HNG)/virtual eNodeB; matching a target cell in a virtual eNodeB database; receiving, at a second eNodeB, a handover request from a second HNG/virtual eNodeB; sending, by the second eNodeB, a handover request acknowledge message to the second HNG/virtual eNodeB; and performing call context switching using the virtual eNodeB database.
1 . A method for providing inter virtual-eNodeB optimized handover, comprising:
receiving, from a first eNodeB at a first HetNet Gateway (HNG)/virtual eNodeB, a handover required message for a handover for a user equipment (UE) from the first eNodeB to a target eNodeB;
matching, via the first HNG/virtual eNodeB, the target eNodeB in a virtual eNodeB database to a second HNG/virtual eNodeB;
wherein the target eNodeB receives from the second HNG/virtual eNodeB, based on the handover required message, a handover request message;
sending, from the first HNG/virtual eNodeB to the first eNodeB, based on the handover request message, a handover command message to handover to the second eNodeB, wherein the second eNodeB is the target eNodeB;
wherein the target eNodeB sends to the second HNG/virtual eNodeB, based on the handover request message, a handover request acknowledge message; and
performing call context switching for the UE between a virtualization of the first eNodeB in the first HNG/virtual eNodeB and a virtualization of the second eNodeB in the first HNG/virtual eNodeB without exchanging signaling based on the matching and the handover request message.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein the matching is based on a Mobility Management Entity (MME) match.
3 . The method of claim 2 further comprising, by the first HNG/virtual eNodeB, avoiding exchanging of S1 signaling between the virtualization of the first eNodeB and the virtualization of the second eNodeB.
4 . The method of claim 1 wherein the second eNodeB sends a handover notify message to the second HNG/virtual eNodeB.
5 . The method of claim 1 wherein the second HNG/virtual eNodeB sends a path switch release message to the MME, the path switch release message being the only signaling for the handover sent to the MME.
6 . The method of claim 5 wherein the MME sends a path switch acknowledge message to the second HNG/virtual eNodeB.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the virtualization of the first eNodeB and the virtualization of the second eNodeB are in the first HNG.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein matching further comprises determining by the virtualization of the first eNodeB that the target cell is connected to the virtualization of the second eNodeB in the same HNG.
9 . A system for providing inter virtual-eNodeB optimized handover, comprising:
a first HetNet Gateway (HNG)/virtual eNodeB, including a processor and a memory, in communication with a first eNodeB in a cellular core network,
a second eNodeB in communication with the first eNodeB via the cellular core network, and a virtual eNodeB database,
wherein a second HetNet Gateway (HNG)/virtual eNodeB is in communication with the second eNodeB, and the first HNG/virtual eNodeB;
wherein the processor is configured to:
receive, from the first eNodeB, a handover required message for a handover for a user equipment (UE) from the first eNodeB to a target eNodeB;
match the target eNodeB in the virtual eNodeB database to the second HNG/virtual eNodeB;
send to the first eNodeB, based on the handover request message, a handover command message to handover to the second eNodeB, wherein the second eNodeB is the target eNodeB; and
perform call context switching for the UE between a virtualization of the first eNodeB in the first HNG/virtual eNodeB and a virtualization of the second eNodeB in the first HNG/virtual eNodeB without exchanging signaling based on the match and the handover request message;
wherein the target eNodeB receives from the second HNG/virtual eNodeB, based on the handover required message, a handover request message; and
wherein the target eNodeB sends to the second HNG/virtual eNodeB, based on the handover request message, a handover request acknowledge message.
10 . The system of claim 9 wherein match is based on a Mobility Management Entity (MME) match.
11 . The system of claim 10 wherein the processor is further configured to avoid exchanging of SI signaling between the virtualization of the first eNodeB and the virtualization of the second eNodeB.
12 . The system of claim 9 wherein the second eNodeB sends a handover notify message to the second HNG/virtual eNodeB.
13 . The system of claim 9 wherein a Mobility Management Entity (MME) is in communication with the second HNG/virtual eNodeB and wherein the second HNG/virtual eNodeB sends a path switch release message to the MME, the path switch release message being the only signaling for the handover sent to the MME.
14 . The system of claim 13 wherein the MME sends a path switch acknowledge message to the second HNG/virtual eNodeB.
15 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions for providing inter virtual-eNodeB optimized handover which, when executed, cause a system to perform steps comprising:
receiving, from a first eNodeB at a first HetNet Gateway (HNG)/virtual eNodeB, a handover required message for a handover for a user equipment (UE) from the first eNodeB to a target eNodeB;
matching, via the first HNG/virtual eNodeB, the target eNodeB in a virtual eNodeB database to a second HNG/virtual eNodeB;
wherein the eNodeB receives from the second HNG/virtual eNodeB, based on the handover required message, a handover request message;
sending, from the first HNG/virtual eNodeB to the first eNodeB, based on the handover request message, a handover command message to handover to the second eNodeB, wherein the second eNodeB is the target eNodeB;
wherein the target eNodeB sends to the second HNG/virtual eNodeB, based on the handover request message, a handover request acknowledge message; and
performing call context switching for the UE between a virtualization of the first eNodeB in the first HNG/virtual eNodeB and a virtualization of the second eNodeB in the first HNG/virtual eNodeB without exchanging signaling based on the matching and the handover request message.
16 . The computer-readable medium of claim 15 wherein the matching is based on a Mobility Management Entity (MME) match.
17 . The computer-readable medium of claim 16 further comprising instructions for, by the first HNG/virtual eNodeB, avoiding exchanging of S1 signaling between the virtualization of the first eNodeB and the virtualization of the second eNodeB.
18 . The computer-readable medium of claim 15 wherein the second eNodeB sends a handover notify message to the second HNG/virtual eNodeB.
19 . The computer-readable medium of claim 15 wherein the second HNG/virtual eNodeB sends a path switch release message to the MME, the path switch release message being the only signaling for the handover sent to the MME.
20 . The computer-readable medium of claim 19 wherein the MME sends a path switch acknowledge message to the second HNG/virtual eNodeB.