EPS Bearer Collision Handling via Local Deactivation

Solution Overview

Problem

In Evolved Packet System (EPS) networks, procedure collisions during bearer resource modification lead to issues where aborting a UE requested procedure keeps the bearer alive, and maintaining a dedicated EPS bearer without packet filters is not possible, causing misalignment with the UE's intention to release resources.

Innovation Solution

A method where the UE initiates a mobile originated (MO) procedure to release all traffic flows associated with the EPS bearer, receives a request to initiate a mobile terminated (MT) procedure, and locally deactivates the EPS bearer to handle procedure collisions and ensure proper resource release.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the UE aborts the MO procedure upon receiving an MT procedure request, then the procedure collision is handled and resource release intention is preserved, but the bearer remains alive due to network-side procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedure collision handlingVSAvoidUE intention to release resources

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The UE performs preliminary local deactivation of the EPS bearer before the network completes the MT modification procedure. This preliminary action ensures that when the network later attempts to modify the bearer, the UE is already in a state that reflects its release intention, preventing the bearer from remaining alive due to network-side procedures alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The UE provides feedback to the network about its local bearer state through subsequent signaling messages. After locally deactivating the bearer, the UE communicates this state change to the network, ensuring both sides have consistent information about the bearer's actual status and preventing misalignment between UE intention and network state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Stability of the object's composition

If the UE maintains the bearer alive after aborting the MO procedure, then network procedures can complete, but the bearer cannot maintain dedicated EPS bearer without packet filters

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebearer state consistencyVSAvoidbearer configuration flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The UE performs preliminary local deactivation of the EPS bearer before the network completes the MT modification procedure. This preliminary action ensures that when the network later attempts to modify the bearer, the UE is already in a state that reflects its release intention, preventing the bearer from remaining alive due to network-side procedures alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of energy

If the UE locally deactivates the EPS bearer, then resource release aligns with UE intention, but network and UE states may become misaligned

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource efficiencyVSAvoidstate synchronization

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The UE provides feedback to the network about its local bearer state through subsequent signaling messages. After locally deactivating the bearer, the UE communicates this state change to the network, ensuring both sides have consistent information about the bearer's actual status and preventing misalignment between UE intention and network state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses an intermediary mechanism where the UE's local state change is communicated to the network through signaling feedback. This intermediary communication ensures that the network becomes aware of the UE's local deactivation and can update its state accordingly, preventing long-term state misalignment between network and UE.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20240155721A1Collision handling for modification procedure to release bearer

Publication Date: 2024.05.09 MEDIATEK INC

AI summary

In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus may be a UE. The UE initiates a mobile originated (MO) procedure for modifying an Evolved Packet System (EPS) bearer to release all traffic flows associated with the EPS bearer. The UE receives a request to initiate a mobile terminated (MT) procedure for modifying the EPS bearer. The UE, in response to receiving the request, aborts the MO procedure. The UE locally deactivates the EPS bearer.