Common PDP Context for IPv4 and IPv6 Resource Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current packet radio networks, such as GPRS/UMTS, face inefficiencies due to the need for separate PDP contexts for IPv4 and IPv6 internet protocol versions, leading to suboptimal resource utilization and the requirement for mobile user equipment to set up multiple contexts for simultaneous communication with IPv4 and IPv6-based services.
Innovation Solution
A packet radio network architecture that allows for a common packet data protocol context, enabling communication of both IPv4 and IPv6 internet packets over a shared GPRS/UMTS session using a common packet communications bearer, which is not specific to any internet protocol version, thereby improving resource utilization and allowing dual-stack mobile user equipment to communicate efficiently with both IPv4 and IPv6 services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate PDP contexts are established for IPv4 and IPv6 internet protocol versions, then communication with specific internet protocol versions is ensured, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges separate IPv4 and IPv6 PDP contexts into a unified PDP context structure. The common PDP context contains shared resources including a single packet communications bearer, while protocol-specific parameters (IPv4 address, IPv6 address, protocol type indicators) are stored as optional elements within the same context. This allows the mobile user equipment to communicate with both IPv4 and IPv6 services using a single context, eliminating the need to establish separate contexts for each protocol version and thereby improving resource utilization efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal PDP context structure that can handle multiple internet protocol versions (IPv4, IPv6, and future versions) through a single unified framework. The context includes protocol type identification fields and address fields that can accommodate different IP versions, enabling the same PDP context to serve multiple protocol requirements. This multi-functional design allows the network to support evolving protocol standards without requiring separate context structures for each protocol version.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple PDP contexts are set up for simultaneous communication with IPv4 and IPv6 services, then communication capability is ensured, but device complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple protocol-specific PDP contexts into a single common PDP context that can simultaneously support IPv4, IPv6, and other internet protocol versions. The context structure includes protocol type indicators and address fields that can hold multiple protocol addresses, allowing the mobile user equipment to maintain communication with both IPv4 and IPv6 services through one unified context rather than managing separate contexts for each protocol.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified PDP context is designed with universal fields that can accommodate different internet protocol versions. The context includes protocol type identification elements and address fields capable of storing both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses, enabling a single context to perform the functions previously requiring multiple separate contexts. This reduces the complexity of context management while maintaining full communication capability across different protocol versions.
3Reliability
If protocol-specific PDP contexts are used, then internet protocol version specific communication is guaranteed, but the number of packet communications bearers increases leading to suboptimal resource utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple protocol-specific packet communications bearers into a single shared packet communications bearer within the common PDP context. The bearer is established once at the GPRS/UMTS network level and is shared by all internet protocol versions (IPv4, IPv6, etc.) that use this PDP context. This eliminates the need to establish separate bearers for each protocol version, reducing the total number of bearers and improving resource utilization efficiency while maintaining protocol-specific communication capabilities through protocol type indicators in the context.
Data Source
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AI summary
A packet radio network provides a facility for communicating internet packets to and/or from a mobile user equipment. The packet radio network comprises a gateway support node, a serving support node and a radio network part. In response to a packet data protocol activation request message requesting a common packet data protocol context, the serving support node is operable in combination with the gateway support node to establish a common packet data protocol context in association with a packet communications bearer. The common packet data protocol context is established to communicate internet protocol packets via the packet communications bearer according to an internet protocol version specified by the mobile user equipment for one or more communications sessions. The common packet data protocol context therefore provides more flexibility, because a mobile user equipment can send both IPv4 internet packets and IPv6 internet packets as specified by the mobile user equipment. Furthermore a packet radio network according to example embodiments is provided with an arrangement for sharing the same GPRS/UMTS session, using a common packet communications bearer including the high-speed broadband radio bearers.