Coordinating Node for Inter-PGW Handover in LTE Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LTE networks face challenges in supporting inter-Packet Gateway (PGW) mobility, leading to service interruptions when user equipment (UE) moves between PGWs, and are inefficient in traffic management due to the need for a central anchor node, which results in sub-optimal traffic routing and high traffic loads.
Innovation Solution
A coordinating node is introduced to facilitate IP mobility across multiple PGWs by acting as a proxy for policy requests, managing data tunnels, and providing IP address translation, enabling seamless handovers between PGWs while maintaining continuous IP access and service continuity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a central PGW anchors traffic for a large geographical area, then network coverage is improved, but traffic routing becomes sub-optimal and traffic load on the PGW increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the large PGW coverage area into multiple smaller regions, each served by a different PGW. This segmentation allows traffic to be routed locally within each region rather than all traffic being routed to a single central PGW, reducing overall traffic load and improving routing efficiency while maintaining broad coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a Mobility Management Entity (MME) as an intermediary that coordinates handovers between PGWs. The MME receives handover requests, determines the target PGW based on UE location, and manages the transition, enabling efficient local routing while maintaining seamless mobility across the entire network area.
2Loss of energy
If multiple PGWs are deployed to reduce traffic load, then traffic routing is optimized, but inter-PGW mobility is not supported causing service interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes multiple data tunnels between the coordinating node and different PGWs before handover is needed. When a handover is initiated, the UE can be quickly switched to a pre-established tunnel with the target PGW without requiring new tunnel setup, enabling seamless service continuity while maintaining multiple PGW connections for load distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The coordinating node acts as an intermediary that maintains multiple simultaneous data tunnels to different PGWs and manages UE mobility between them. This intermediary coordinates the handover process, ensuring that the UE's data session is seamlessly transferred between PGWs without service interruption, thus supporting both multiple PGWs for load reduction and reliable mobility.
3Device complexity
If PGWs cover large areas, then network complexity is reduced, but IP mobility between PGWs cannot be supported
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a coordinating node as an intermediary that abstracts the complexity of managing multiple PGWs. This coordinating node handles the coordination and handover management between PGWs, allowing each PGW to maintain simpler, larger coverage areas while the intermediary enables seamless IP mobility across PGW boundaries without requiring complex inter-PGW signaling.
4Device complexity
If fewer PGWs are used, then network complexity is reduced, but traffic load on each PGW increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network into multiple PGWs with smaller, more localized coverage areas. Each PGW handles traffic for its specific region, distributing the overall traffic load across multiple nodes rather than concentrating it on a single PGW. This segmentation reduces traffic load per PGW while the coordinating node maintains manageable network complexity through centralized coordination.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is disclosed for providing IP access across packet data network gateways (PGWs), comprising: receiving, from a UE, at a coordinating node, an attach request; sending a request to create a first new session to a first PGW; sending a request to create a second new session to a second PGW; receiving, from the first PGW and at the coordinating node, a first request for policies for the UE; receiving, from the second PGW and at the coordinating node, a second request for policies for the UE; opening a first data tunnel from the coordinating node to the first PGW; opening a second data tunnel from the coordinating node to the second PGW without closing the first data tunnel; and opening a data tunnel between the UE and the coordinating node for providing IP access to both the first PGW and the second PGW.