Mobile Gateway Relocation via Sensitive Service Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile communication networks are inefficient in relocating gateways for user equipment (UE) in connected mode, leading to inefficient traffic offloading and potential service disruptions, especially with the introduction of features like Light Connection, which makes it difficult to trigger PGW relocation without impacting user experience.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves the MME/SGSN requesting the current PGW to initiate a PDN disconnection procedure when no sensitive user applications are active, allowing the PGW or PCRF to monitor and defer the disconnection until sensitive services are stopped, enabling gateway relocation without interrupting ongoing services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the MME deactivates the PDN connection to relocate the PGW, then the gateway can be relocated to a more appropriate location for traffic offloading, but the user's active services (browsing, streaming, VoLTE) are interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The network performs preliminary actions by establishing a new PDN connection to the target PGW before deactivating the old connection. This allows the UE to switch gateways without service interruption, as the new connection is ready to take over immediately when the old one is deactivated.
Solution Approach 2:
The source MME acts as an intermediary by coordinating the handover between source and target PGWs. It manages the timing and sequence of connection establishment and deactivation, ensuring seamless transition while maintaining service continuity through careful orchestration of the relocation process.
2Reliability
If the MME waits for UE to be in idle mode before relocating the PGW, then service disruption is avoided, but network efficiency and traffic offloading performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary connection setup to the target PGW while the UE is still connected to the source PGW. This preliminary action enables the network to prepare the new connection path without forcing the UE into idle mode, thereby maintaining both service continuity and network efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention maintains continuous useful action by allowing the UE to remain in connected mode throughout the PGW relocation process. The data path is switched from source to target PGW without interrupting the UE's active services, ensuring continuous network utilization and efficient traffic offloading.
3Productivity
If the PDN connection is deactivated for PGW relocation, then the gateway can be moved closer to the UE's current location, but the IP address changes causing application layer disruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The target PGW is configured with the UE's existing IP address before the connection switch. When the PDN connection is deactivated and reactivated, the UE retains its original IP address, preventing application layer disruptions while still achieving efficient traffic offloading to the new gateway location.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the gateway location parameter while preserving the IP address parameter. By separating these parameters and maintaining IP address continuity during the gateway relocation, the invention achieves traffic offloading efficiency without causing application layer disruptions.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the invention include a mobile network entity, such as MME/SGSN or AMF, providing access and mobility management functions, said mobile network entity configured to: - send to a mobile network entity, such as PGW or SMF, providing Gateway control plane functions, a request to initiate the release of an established connectivity for a User Equipment UE when no service that breaks (or that makes user's experience unacceptable) at IP address change of the UE, referred to as sensitive service, is on-going on said established connectivity.