IP POP Relocation via Sequential Path Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for IP Point of Presence (POP) change in 5G networks face challenges in minimizing service disruption and packet loss during user equipment (UE) movement, particularly when switching between different IP POPs, as they often require 'break-before-make' handovers or rely on IPv6 multi-homing which not all UEs support.
Innovation Solution
A method for IP POP change that involves managing a first communication path, deciding on a change to a second path, and performing the change by preparing the new path, switching uplinks, assigning a new IP address, activating the new downlink, and releasing the old downlink, allowing for a seamless transition within a single PDU session without the need for parallel IP addresses, and utilizing a common radio bearer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If break-before-make handover is used for IP POP change, then service discontinuity is avoided by releasing old session before establishing new session, but service interruption time and packet loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing the new PDU session with the target IP POP before releasing the old session. The network prepares the new communication path in advance, so when the UE moves to a new location, the handover is seamless without service interruption. This is achieved by the network establishing a new PDU session with the target local anchor (LAA) before the old session is released, ensuring continuous service availability.
2Reliability
If parallel IP sessions are maintained during transition, then service continuity is improved, but device complexity and resource consumption increase due to handling multiple IP addresses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complexity of handling multiple IP addresses from the UE by implementing it purely in the network side. The network maintains multiple PDU sessions with different local anchors, but the UE only needs to handle a single IP address at any given time. The network's PDU session establishment and release mechanisms manage the transitions, eliminating the need for UE to implement complex multi-IP address handling logic.
3Reliability
If IPv6 multi-homing is used for IP POP change, then service continuity during handover is improved, but adaptability decreases because not all UEs support IPv6
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal solution that works with both IPv4 and IPv6 by using PDU session management mechanisms that are protocol-agnostic. The network establishes and releases PDU sessions based on IP POP changes without requiring specific IP version support from the UE. This approach is compatible with existing 3GPP standards and works across different IP versions, making it universally applicable to all UEs regardless of their IP version support.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for IP POP change for a user equipment are described. The approach is taken of assigning a new IP POP to the user equipment in an ongoing packet data unit session, while maintaining packet data transmission in that session. The new IP POP is brought into commission in stages within the session, with the uplink path being moved and then the downlink path.