GTP Version Detection for Mobile Network Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
When a user hands over or changes between access networks of different versions, such as between Release 7 or earlier versions and Release 8 or later versions, the source network struggles to correctly transfer user plane anchor point information, including Quality of Service (QoS) parameters, due to format and parameter incompatibilities between the two versions.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for information transfer that determines the version number of the GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GTP) used between the source and destination networks and transmits user information accordingly, ensuring compatibility by including both lower and higher version user information or adapting the format of user plane anchor point information to match the destination network's version.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the source AN of higher version transmits user information in higher version format, then the information contains complete user plane anchor point details, but the destination AN of lower version cannot identify and process the information
Solution Approach 1:
The source AN detects the destination AN's version and dynamically changes the format parameters of transmitted user information to match the destination's capabilities. When transmitting to a lower version AN, the source converts higher version format parameters to lower version compatible parameters, ensuring the destination can correctly identify and process the information while preserving essential user plane anchor point details.
Solution Approach 2:
The information transmission system becomes dynamic by adapting the format of user information based on the destination AN's version. The source AN flexibly adjusts whether to transmit in higher version format, lower version format, or both formats depending on the destination's capabilities, making the system adaptable rather than static.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the source AN transmits both lower version and higher version user information, then compatibility with destination ANs of any version is achieved, but the message size and transmission complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of always transmitting both lower and higher version information (excessive action), the source AN transmits only the necessary version format based on destination detection (partial action). This reduces message size and complexity while still achieving compatibility by transmitting the appropriate format for the specific destination AN version.
3Reliability
If the source AN detects and adapts to the destination AN version, then correct information transmission is achieved, but the handover procedure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The source AN performs version detection and format adaptation in advance during the handover preparation phase, before actual user information transmission. This preliminary action ensures that when user information is transmitted, it is already in the correct format for the destination AN, improving reliability while containing complexity in a controlled preliminary step rather than during critical data transmission.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for information transfer includes: determining, by a source Mobility Management Network Element (MMNE) of a source Access Network (AN), version number of GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GTP) used between the source MMNE and a destination MMNE of a destination AN; and transmitting, by the source MMNE, user information corresponding to the version number of the GTP used between the source MMNE and the destination MMNE to the destination MMNE. The embodiment of the invention also provides a device for information transfer. With the embodiment of present invention, corresponding user information transfer may be realized.