LIPA PDN Connection Management for Service Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems face challenges in managing Local IP Access (LIPA) connection releases due to user equipment (UE) mobility, leading to unwanted disconnections and service continuity issues, particularly when UE moves out of residential or enterprise network coverage, which affects PS services and charging schemes.
Innovation Solution
The proposed method involves configuring User Equipment (UE) with context information indicating LIPA PDN connections and allowing reconnection to specific APNs or services, and implementing MME-initiated PDN connection release procedures to manage LIPA/SIPTO connection releases during UE mobility, ensuring service continuity and optimizing network operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If LIPA PDN connection is automatically released when UE moves out of residential/enterprise network coverage, then network resource management is simplified, but service continuity is disrupted and unwanted disconnections occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of connection release from automatic to conditional by introducing a flag in the UE context that indicates whether LIPA PDN connection release is permitted. This allows the network to control the release behavior based on specific conditions and subscriber policies, resolving the contradiction between simplified resource management and service continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the UE to autonomously determine whether to release the LIPA PDN connection based on the stored flag and current network conditions. The UE independently evaluates whether release is permitted and executes the release decision without requiring explicit network signaling, thereby maintaining service continuity when release is not permitted while still allowing resource management when permitted.
2Reliability
If LIPA PDN connection is maintained during UE mobility to macro network, then service continuity is improved, but network charging schemes and PS services are affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a configurable flag parameter in the UE context that controls whether LIPA PDN connection release is permitted during mobility to macro network. This parameter allows the network to enforce charging schemes and service policies by conditionally permitting or preventing connection maintenance, thereby resolving the conflict between service continuity and charging scheme integrity.
3Reliability
If UE is configured with context information for LIPA PDN reconnection, then service continuity is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary configuration of the UE by storing a flag in the UE context during initial LIPA PDN connection establishment or during mobility management procedures. This pre-configuration enables the UE to autonomously make reconnection decisions without requiring complex real-time network signaling, thereby enhancing service continuity while minimizing device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method, system and device are provided for managing LIPA and/or SIPTO connection releases when UE moves out of residential/enterprise network coverage in case service continuity is not supported for the LIPA/SIPTO PDN connection(s). To address problems caused by not providing service continuity for LIPA/SIPTO PDN connections, the PDN connection/PDP context created in the HeNB/HNB by the MME/SGSN includes context information related to the UE indicating whether such connection is a LIPA PDN connection PDN connection or not. In addition, each UE may be configured to reconnect or not reconnect to the PDN corresponding to a certain APN or service, depending on how the PDN connection was disconnected by the network.