Gateway Node Reselection During Base Station Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication systems lack a standardized method for gateway node reselection, leading to disruptions in data services when user equipment (UE) changes position or handovers to another base station, affecting user experience.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced to support gateway node reselection by providing access control information from the source base station to the destination base station, initiating a gateway reselection process upon handover failure, and involving the Mobile Management Entity (MME) to reselect a suitable Packet Data Network Gateway (PDN GW) or Gateway General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) Supporting Node (GGSN) based on subscription information and policy updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the network reselects a user plane node (PDN GW or GGSN) for UE when UE changes position or handovers to another base station, then resource allocation is optimized, but data service continuity is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the source base station provide access control information to the destination base station before the handover is completed. This allows the gateway reselection process to be initiated in advance, ensuring that a new gateway node is identified and prepared before the UE actually switches base stations, thus maintaining service continuity while achieving optimized resource allocation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If gateway node reselection is implemented during base station handover, then network resource optimization is achieved, but service interruption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the access control information as an intermediary mechanism between the source and destination base stations. This information enables the destination base station to determine whether gateway reselection should occur, allowing network resource optimization while minimizing service interruption by making the reselection process conditional and controlled rather than automatic and disruptive.
3Adaptability or versatility
If access control information is provided from source to destination base station, then gateway reselection can be initiated, but signaling complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The access control information provided from source to destination base station serves multiple functions: it enables gateway reselection determination, provides input for access control decisions, and facilitates coordinated handover management. By making this information multi-functional, the patent achieves gateway reselection capability without requiring separate dedicated signaling procedures, thus limiting the increase in signaling complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and a method for supporting gateway node reselection in a communication system during a process in which a UE hands over from a source base station to a destination base station are provided. The apparatus includes the source base station for providing the destination base station with information for access control determination, the destination base station for making an access control determination according to the information provided by the source base station, the UE or a network for initiating a gateway reselection process according to the result of the access control determination. With the method, the reselection of Packet Data Network Gateway (PDN GW) or GGSN is implemented in a simple and reliable way by optimizing the existing signaling processes, in the case of user plane node reselection because UE changes position or handover to another base station.