Common IP Address for Non-Seamless Offload in 3GPP Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication systems face challenges in seamless data traffic offloading between 3GPP and non-3GPP networks due to different layer 3 addressing, leading to data loss and inefficient resource utilization, particularly when non-seamless offload is selected, as it results in irreversible data breakout and inability to return traffic through the 5G core.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method that assesses and assigns a common IP-address for communication between 3GPP and non-3GPP networks, allowing seamless switching and reducing data loss by ensuring consistent IP addressing across different access technologies, thereby enabling efficient non-seamless offload of PDU/PDN sessions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If non-seamless offload is selected to bypass the 5G core using local breakout, then 5G core resources are saved and offloading efficiency is improved, but data traffic cannot return to the 5G core and already-sent data is lost due to different IP addresses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a common IP address as an intermediary that mediates between the 3GPP and non-3GPP networks. This common IP address acts as a mediator that allows data traffic to be routed through either network path while maintaining address consistency, enabling seamless handover and return traffic to the 5G core without data loss
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the IP address parameter from separate addresses (first IP for 3GPP, second IP for non-3GPP) to a unified common IP address. This parameter change enables the system to maintain consistent addressing across different network paths, resolving the fundamental issue that caused data loss and prevented return traffic
2Device complexity
If separate IP addresses are assigned for 3GPP and non-3GPP access, then network routing is simplified, but seamless handover between access technologies is prevented and data loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the separate IP addressing schemes of 3GPP and non-3GPP networks into a single common IP address. This merging eliminates the need for complex routing decisions based on different addresses while enabling seamless handover, as the common IP address remains valid regardless of which access technology is used
Data Source
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AI summary
Techniques to enable efficient non-seamless-offload of PDU- or PDN-sessions in a communication system, wherein the communication system comprises a sender and a receiver, wherein the sender communicates with the receiver via a 3GPP network and a non-3GPP network, the method comprising the following steps: • Assessment step: assessing if the sender communicates with the receiver over a first communication link via the 3GPP network using a first IP-address and if the sender communicates with the receiver over a second communication link via the non-3GPP network using a second IP-address; • Assigning step: assigning a common IP-address to the sender for the communication via the 3GPP network and/or the non-3GPP network.