Distributed EPC Session Anchoring for Mobility Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

The centralized architecture of 3GPP LTE and Wi-Fi networks faces performance limitations in handling user sessions, especially with the increased number of devices and mobile connections, as it approaches the capacity of data centers and central offices, leading to inefficiencies in managing user and IP sessions.

Innovation Solution

Distributing certain EPC functionality, such as MME, SGW, and PGW, closer to access networks and radio nodes, while maintaining centralization for subscription-related functions like HSS and SPR, allowing for local handling of session management and policy selection, and routing IP data flows directly to destinations rather than backhauling them to central data centers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If user sessions are managed in highly centralized data centers or central offices, then IP session continuity is maintained during device mobility, but the performance limits of data centers are approached due to proliferation of functional user equipment and increased number of devices

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIP session continuityVSAvoidsession handling performance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The EPC network is segmented into multiple distributed EPC instances (first distributed EPC, second distributed EPC) rather than a single centralized instance. Each distributed EPC can independently manage user sessions, allowing the system to distribute the session management load across multiple locations while maintaining session continuity through coordinated handover between distributed instances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a single-dimensional centralized architecture to a multi-dimensional distributed architecture. By introducing spatial distribution across multiple EPC instances while maintaining logical coordination, the system adds a dimensional aspect to session management that enables both local performance optimization and global session continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If EPC functionality is distributed closer to access networks and radio nodes, then network efficiency and scalability are improved, but complexity of managing distributed session anchors increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork efficiencyVSAvoiddistributed session management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The distributed EPC instances implement universal session management functionality that can serve multiple access networks and radio nodes. Each distributed EPC is designed to perform the same core functions (session anchoring, mobility management) locally, eliminating the need for complex centralized coordination for routine operations and simplifying the overall management architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If IP data flows are routed through central data centers, then centralized IP address allocation is simplified, but backhauling traffic to central locations reduces network efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIP address allocation simplicityVSAvoidbackhaul traffic energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables local quality of IP data flow routing by allowing distributed EPC instances to anchor IP sessions locally at edges closer to users. This local anchoring enables direct routing of IP data flows between distributed EPCs and external networks without mandatory backhauling to central data centers, reducing traffic energy consumption while maintaining simplified IP address management through coordinated address allocation across distributed instances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3451710B1Evolved packet core and method, performed by an evolved packet core, for serving a user equipment, ue

Publication Date: 2020.02.26 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD

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AI summary

An embodiment method for session handling for a connection between an UE and a network includes establishing, at a first distributed EPC, user and IP sessions over the connection through the first distributed EPC. The first distributed EPC includes a first PGW at which the IP session is anchored. The method also includes holding original IP resources and releasing original connection resources for the sessions at the first distributed EPC when the UE moves beyond the first distributed EPC to a second distributed EPC. The method then establishes a tunnel between the first PGW and a second PGW for the second distributed EPC. The tunnel utilizes the original IP resources and new connection resources at the second distributed EPC. The method then routes data from the tunnel, through the first PGW, and to the network.