AMF Gateway ID Selection for Wireless Handover

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing wireless communication network handover process is hindered by the increased network signaling load and delays caused by the use of Domain Name Systems (DNS) in selecting data gateways during handovers between different wireless communication networks.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a method where the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) identifies a Gateway Identifier (GW ID) for a data gateway physically co-located with the User Plane Function (UPF) and transfers handover signaling without using DNS, allowing for efficient selection and utilization of co-located data gateways in the target communication network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If Domain Name System (DNS) is used to select data gateways during handover, then data gateway selection can be performed, but network signaling load increases and handover completion is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata gateway selection capabilityVSAvoidhandover completion time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the data gateway selection function from the DNS system and implements it locally within the AMF. The AMF maintains a local mapping between UPF identifiers and data gateway identifiers, allowing selection without external DNS queries. This removes the DNS dependency from the handover signaling path, reducing signaling load and acceleration handover completion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The AMF pre-establishes and maintains a local mapping table that associates UPF identifiers with corresponding data gateway identifiers before handover occurs. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for real-time DNS resolution during handover, enabling immediate data gateway selection and reducing handover latency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If Domain Name System (DNS) is used to select data gateways during handover, then data gateway selection can be performed, but network signaling load increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata gateway selection capabilityVSAvoidnetwork signaling load

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the data gateway selection function from the DNS system and implements it locally within the AMF. The AMF maintains a local mapping between UPF identifiers and data gateway identifiers, allowing selection without external DNS queries. This removes the DNS dependency from the handover signaling path, reducing signaling load and acceleration handover completion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the data gateway selection function with the AMF's existing UPF management capabilities. By integrating gateway selection into the UPF management workflow, the system eliminates separate DNS lookup operations and reduces the number of signaling messages required during handover.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If co-located data gateways are directly selected without DNS, then network signaling load and delays are reduced, but compatibility with existing DNS-based systems may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandover operation efficiencyVSAvoidsystem compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The AMF pre-establishes and maintains a local mapping table that associates UPF identifiers with corresponding data gateway identifiers before handover occurs. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for real-time DNS resolution during handover, enabling immediate data gateway selection and reducing handover latency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The local mapping table in the AMF acts as an intermediary between the UPF identification system and the data gateway selection system. This intermediary layer enables direct co-located gateway selection while maintaining compatibility with existing network architectures, as the mapping can be populated from existing DNS records or network configuration data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11778531B2Data gateway selection for wireless user equipment (UE) handover

Publication Date: 2023.10.03 T MOBILE INNOVATIONS LLC

AI summary

A wireless communication network handsover a wireless User Equipment (UE) to a target communication network. A wireless access node wirelessly exchanges user data with the wireless UE and exchanges the user data with a User Plane Function (UPF). The UPF exchanges the user data with the wireless access node. An Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) identifies a handover of the wireless UE from the wireless access node to the target communication network, and in response, identifies a Gateway Identifier (GW ID) for a data GW that is physically co-located with the UPF and transfers handover signaling indicating the GW ID to the target communication network. The target communication network exchanges additional user data with the wireless UE over the data GW in response to the GW ID in the handover signaling—possibly without using a Domain Name System (DNS) to determine the GW ID.