Gateway Reassignment for Mobile Network Proximity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In mobile communication networks, the initial selection of serving and packet data network gateway entities is not optimized for user equipment movement, leading to suboptimal connection times and setup times, especially during tracking area updates and packet switched handovers, as the selected gateway entities may not be geographically or topologically closest to the user equipment.
Innovation Solution
A method for reassigning serving and packet data network gateway entities based on tracking area identity updates, packet switched handovers, and packet data network activations, using a mobility management entity that detects the need for reassignment and communicates with a domain name system to select the most appropriate gateway entities, ensuring they are closer to the user equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the initial gateway selection is performed during attachment procedure, then the gateway entities are selected based on initial network state, but the selected gateway entities may not be geographically or topologically closest to the user equipment during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic gateway reassignment based on real-time user equipment location and network conditions. The mobility management entity monitors tracking area updates and packet switched handovers, and triggers gateway reassignment when beneficial. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt gateway selections as users move, maintaining optimal connection performance without requiring complete re-attachment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary gateway selection during the attachment procedure to establish initial connectivity, then prepares for potential reassignment by monitoring user equipment movement and network conditions. This preliminary action ensures immediate connection while setting the stage for future optimization without service interruption.
2Speed
If gateway entities are reassigned during user equipment movement, then the geographic proximity is optimized, but the reassignment procedure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the mobility management entity monitors user equipment tracking area updates and packet switched handovers, and uses this information to determine when gateway reassignment should be triggered. This feedback-driven approach ensures reassignment occurs only when necessary, balancing performance optimization with operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobility management entity serves as an intermediary that coordinates between user equipment, serving gateway entities, and packet data network gateway entities during reassignment procedures. This intermediary role simplifies the overall system complexity by centralizing the decision-making and coordination logic in a single network element.
3Measurement precision
If the mobility management entity monitors tracking area updates and handovers continuously, then the gateway selection accuracy is improved, but the signaling overhead and processing load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial monitoring by focusing on specific events (tracking area updates and packet switched handovers) rather than continuous monitoring of all user equipment states. This selective approach provides sufficient accuracy for gateway reassignment decisions while minimizing signaling overhead and processing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the monitoring parameters from continuous state tracking to event-triggered monitoring based on specific network procedures (tracking area updates, handovers). This parameter change reduces the processing load and signaling overhead while maintaining the ability to detect when gateway reassignment is beneficial.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for an enhanced gateway selection in a mobile communication network and with respect to a user equipment requesting a communication service from the mobile communication network, wherein the mobile communication network comprises an access network and a core network, the access network comprising at least one base station entity, wherein the mobile communication network comprises a mobility management entity, a plurality of serving gateway entities and a plurality of packet data network gateway entities, wherein - with respect to the user equipment requesting a communication service involving a specific access point name identifier - a specific serving gateway entity is selected among the plurality of serving gateway entities, and a specific packet data network gateway entity is selected among the plurality of packet data network gateway entities, wherein the method comprises the following steps: - in a first step, the user equipment transmits a signaling message to the mobility management entity, - in a second step, subsequent to the first step, the mobility management entity detects whether the selection of the specific serving gateway entity and of the specific packet data network gateway entity is still appropriate, and - in a third step, subsequent to the second step, the initial selection of the specific serving gateway entity and/or of the specific packet data network gateway entity is reassigned by means of conducting a re-assignment procedure such that, a further serving gateway entity and/or a further packet data network gateway entity is selected among the plurality of serving gateway entities and/or the plurality of packet data network gateway entities in case that at least one out of the following conditions apply: - the user equipment moves to or from a set of specific tracking area identity identifiers, wherein the set of specific tracking area identity identifiers is especially configured within a list of tracking area identity identifiers stored within or accessible to the mobility management entity, - a tracking area update procedure is conducted by the user equipment, especially a tracking area update with a change of the specific serving gateway entity, - a packet switched handover procedure is conducted with respect to the user equipment, especially a packet switched handover procedure with a change of the specific serving gateway entity, - a packet data network activation procedure is performed with respect to the user equipment.