Distributed Gateway Paging via Control Plane Mediation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In a distributed gateway system, there is no interface between the gateway user plane and the mobility management entity, preventing the initiation of a paging procedure after receiving a downlink data packet.
Innovation Solution
A method where the gateway user plane sends downlink data report information to the gateway control plane, which triggers the mobility management entity to initiate a paging procedure by exchanging information and establishing a downlink data channel for data forwarding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the gateway user plane and mobility management entity are decoupled in a distributed gateway system, then the signaling control function and data forwarding function are separated and can be independently optimized, but the gateway user plane loses the ability to directly trigger paging procedures to terminals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new interface (N2 interface) between the gateway control plane and mobility management entity as an intermediary communication channel. This mediator enables the gateway control plane to trigger paging procedures to terminals even though the gateway user plane is decoupled from the mobility management entity, thus resolving the contradiction between functional separation and paging initiation capability
2Reliability
If the gateway control plane triggers a paging procedure to a terminal, then the terminal can be reached for downlink data delivery, but additional signaling overhead and processing steps are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the paging initiation process into two distinct parts: the gateway user plane handles data forwarding decisions, while the gateway control plane handles paging trigger decisions. This segmentation allows each component to focus on its specific function, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable downlink data delivery through the N2 interface mechanism
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention discloses a paging method and apparatus for a distributed gateway. The method includes: obtaining, by a gateway user plane, downlink data; sending downlink data report information to a gateway control plane, where the downlink data report information is used to trigger the gateway control plane to send a downlink data notification to a mobility management entity, and the downlink data notification is used to trigger the mobility management entity to initiate a paging to a terminal; obtaining downlink data channel information sent by the gateway control plane, where the downlink data channel information indicates information about a downlink data channel between a base station and the gateway user plane, and the base station is a base station to which the paged terminal belongs; and forwarding the downlink data by using the downlink data channel. According to the method or apparatus in the present invention, a problem of initiating a paging by a distributed gateway to a terminal can be resolved.