LTE Anchor Tunnel Switching via MME Coordination

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Solution Overview

Problem

The 3GPP architecture lacks specifications for LTE anchor mobility, particularly in idle states, which is crucial for route optimization, handling anchor failures, and load sharing, impacting seamless mobility and network efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method for LTE anchor mobility is introduced, utilizing a simple tunnel switching technique in idle mode, where the Mobility Management Entity (MME) initiates the process by commanding the new LTE anchor to set up a user plane tunnel towards the 3GPP anchor, updating information, and deleting the old tunnel, without requiring active bearers or complex PDCP endpoint relocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If LTE anchor mobility is implemented in the 3GPP architecture, then route optimization, load sharing, and failure handling are improved, but the complexity of the network architecture increases due to the lack of specified procedures for anchor change-over

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchor failure handlingVSAvoidnetwork architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces the MME (Mobility Management Entity) as an intermediary that coordinates LTE anchor change-over procedures. The MME receives indications from eNodeBs about anchor changes needed, selects appropriate target anchors, and manages the switching process, thereby reducing direct complexity in the radio access network while improving reliability through centralized coordination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the anchor mobility functionality into distinct components: the indication mechanism from eNodeB, the decision-making logic in MME, and the execution of tunnel switching. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall system complexity while enabling reliable anchor mobility for route optimization and failure handling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If complex PDCP endpoint relocation is performed for LTE anchor mobility, then seamless mobility is achieved, but the procedure becomes complicated and resource-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseamless mobilityVSAvoidprocedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the PDCP endpoint relocation complexity from the anchor mobility procedure. By maintaining PDCP anchors at the core network level while allowing LTE anchor changes at the access network level, the patent achieves seamless mobility without requiring complex PDCP endpoint movements, thereby simplifying the overall procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes PDCP anchors in advance at core network entities before LTE anchor changes are needed. This preliminary action ensures that when LTE anchor mobility is required, the PDCP layer already has established anchors ready to handle the traffic, eliminating the need for complex real-time PDCP endpoint relocation and resource allocation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2030468B1Changing LTE specific anchor with simple tunnel switching

Publication Date: 2023.05.17 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY

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AI summary

Embodiments of the invention may further provide a method for transferring an LTE anchor in an idle mode. The method includes an MME (control plane entity) initiating an LTE anchor change procedure, the MME first commands the selected new LTE anchor to set up a user plane tunnel towards the 3GPP anchor and then it updates this information towards the 3GPP anchor. Thereafter, the old tunnel is deleted from the old LTE anchor.