Gateway Change Coordination for Session Continuity in Mobile Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mobile communication networks, gateway changes can disrupt IP sessions due to IP address changes, especially during user equipment (UE) mobility, and existing solutions do not adequately manage session continuity, particularly for real-time flows like VoIP and video streams, as they require coordination between the UE and the network to ensure seamless transitions without service interruption.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves an operating method and apparatus for UE and network entities to manage gateway changes by requesting consent for gateway changes based on whether ongoing flows require session continuity, allowing the network to hold or perform the change only when flows are terminated or supported by higher-layer protocols, ensuring IP session continuity by maintaining connections with both old and new gateways until necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If gateway change is performed to enable UE mobility and load balancing, then network flexibility and resource utilization are improved, but IP session continuity is disrupted causing service interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The network entity performs preliminary actions by establishing a new PDN connection with the new gateway before releasing the old PDN connection. This allows the UE to have both old and new gateway connections simultaneously, enabling seamless transition without interrupting ongoing IP sessions. The new connection is prepared in advance with proper IP address allocation and session context setup.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the network entity acts as a mediator between the old and new gateways during the transition period. The network entity coordinates the dual PDN connection state, managing the handover of IP sessions from the old gateway to the new gateway while maintaining session continuity. This intermediary control ensures that no IP session is lost during the gateway change process.
2Productivity
If gateway change is performed frequently due to UE mobility, then network resource utilization is improved, but service interruption and session breakage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining IP session continuity throughout the gateway change process. The dual PDN connection mechanism allows ongoing data transmissions to continue without interruption while the network transitions from the old gateway to the new gateway. This eliminates service interruption time and ensures continuous network resource utilization.
3Ease of operation
If gateway change is performed without UE coordination, then network control is simplified, but session continuity cannot be guaranteed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the network entity consults with the UE before performing gateway change. The network entity receives feedback from the UE regarding the presence of ongoing IP sessions and uses this information to determine the appropriate timing for gateway change. This feedback loop ensures that gateway changes are coordinated with the UE's session state, guaranteeing session continuity while maintaining relatively simple network control procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure may provide an operating method for supporting gateway change in a mobile communication system. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the method includes receiving a message requesting to consent to the gateway change from a network entity; and according to whether at least one flow requiring session continuity is set, sending a response message regarding the gateway change consent to the network entity, wherein, when the at least one flow requiring the session continuity is set, the network entity can hold the gateway change based on the response message.