Local Home Network ID for SIPTO Bearer Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current Selected IP Traffic Offload (SIPTO) mechanisms in mobile communication systems face challenges in determining whether a user equipment (UE) has moved out of the local network, leading to issues with bearer disconnection and resource management during handovers, particularly when the UE moves within or between different Mobility Management Entities (MMEs).
Innovation Solution
A method where the source or target base station informs the core network of the local home network ID of the target base station, enabling the core network to correctly determine if the UE has moved out of the local network, thereby triggering a timely bearer disconnection process and ensuring resource release or selecting an appropriate Serving Gateway (SGW).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the UE moves within the same MME and the UE has not moved out of the TA list, then the UE will not initiate a TAU process, but the MME is not aware that the UE has moved out of the local area and cannot initiate a bearer disconnection process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the base station provides location information about the UE to the MME, and the MME provides bearer status information back to the base station. This feedback loop enables the MME to become aware of UE location changes and trigger appropriate bearer disconnection processes even when the UE does not initiate TAU procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces location information as an intermediary element that bridges the base station and MME. The base station obtains location information from the UE and provides it to the MME, which then uses this information to determine whether the UE has moved out of the local area and needs to disconnect the bearer.
2Device complexity
If the source MME is not aware of the local network in which the target base station is located, then the source MME does not know whether the UE has moved out of the local network of the source
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the base station obtain and store location information about the UE before handover occurs. The base station proactively provides this location information to the MME during handover preparation, enabling the MME to determine in advance whether the UE has moved out of the local network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the location management function by having the base station handle location information acquisition and the MME handle bearer management decisions. The base station obtains location information from the UE and provides it to the MME, which then makes independent decisions about bearer disconnection based on this information.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the target MME does not know whether the UE moves within the local network, then the target MME may choose a new SGW due to load balancing, causing traffic on SIPTO bearer to be incapable of ensuring continuity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the base station provides location information to the target MME, and the target MME uses this information to determine whether to maintain the existing SGW or select a new one. This feedback loop ensures that SGW selection is based on accurate location awareness, maintaining SIPTO bearer continuity while allowing flexibility for load balancing when appropriate.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present application discloses a method for supporting SIPTO. The method includes, when a target base station is in a local home network, the target base station sends an identity of the local home network to which the target base station belongs to an MME. The method also includes that the MME determines whether a UE has moved out of the local home network to which the source base station belongs according to the local home network id of the source base station and the local home network id of the target base station. By applying this application, the MME is capable of determining whether the UE has moved out of the local belongs network to which the source base station belongs accurately, therefore a bearer disconnection process can be correctly triggered, resources can be timely released or an SGW can be accurately selected.