Combined Session Management for 4G–5G Network Transitions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems for terminals accessing both 4G and 5G networks face inefficiencies when transitioning between networks, leading to increased network complexity, resource waste, and higher operational loads.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a communication method that preferentially selects combined intermediate session management network elements capable of managing sessions in both 4G and 5G networks, reducing the need for re-establishment and minimizing network address resources, nodes, and signaling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional separate session management network elements are used for 4G and 5G networks, then network coverage and service continuity are ensured, but network complexity increases and operational workload increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines 4G session management network elements (SGW-C, PGW-C) and 5G session management network elements (SMF) into a single unified network element that can perform both 4G and 5G session management functions. This merging reduces the total number of network elements, simplifies network architecture, and lowers operational workload while maintaining service continuity through the unified element's ability to handle both network types.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified session management network element is designed with multi-functionality to perform both 4G and 5G session management tasks. This universal element can dynamically adapt to serve different network types, ensuring service continuity across 4G-5G transitions while reducing overall network complexity by eliminating the need for separate dedicated elements for each network type.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate session management network elements are deployed for 4G and 5G networks, then network functionality is maintained, but the quantity of network nodes increases and operational workload increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate session management network elements (4G SGW-C, 4G PGW-C, and 5G SMF) into a single unified network element. This consolidation reduces the quantity of network nodes from multiple separate elements to one unified element that performs all session management functions for both 4G and 5G networks, thereby reducing operational workload while maintaining full network functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified session management network element is designed as a universal platform capable of performing both 4G and 5G session management functions. This multi-functional design allows a single network element to replace multiple specialized elements, reducing the overall quantity of network nodes while preserving all necessary network functionalities for both 4G and 5G operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional network architecture is used without combined session management, then network compatibility is maintained, but signaling load increases and communication efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines 4G and 5G session management functions into a unified network element, which reduces signaling load by eliminating redundant signaling between separate 4G and 5G session management elements. The unified element can directly manage sessions across both network types without requiring extensive inter-element communication, thereby improving communication efficiency while maintaining network compatibility through its dual-function capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal session management network element is designed to handle both 4G and 5G protocols and session management procedures within a single platform. This multi-functionality enables the element to maintain network compatibility with both 4G and 5G systems while improving communication efficiency by reducing signaling overhead and enabling more direct session management across network boundaries.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication method and apparatus, where the method includes: A first mobility management network element in a first network obtains information about N intermediate session management network elements that are capable of serving a terminal in the first network, and determines that a combined intermediate session management network element (which is capable of providing session management in the first network and in a second network) in the N intermediate session management network elements is a first intermediate session management network element corresponding to a first session of the terminal in the first network, such that overall communication efficiency of the network is improved. For example, network address resources are reduced to simplify network planning and deployment complexity, a quantity of nodes in the network is reduced to simplify network operation and maintenance workload, and signaling between the nodes in the network is reduced to reduce network service load.