Static IP Address Allocation in LTE S-GW and P-GW

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Solution Overview

Problem

The 3GPP LTE/SAE system lacks support for user static IP addresses, which is necessary for normal service functions and data interactions, especially when connecting to a Private Packet Data Network with an IP bearer.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize the network architecture of the 3GPP LTE/SAE system to allocate and manage user static IP addresses by the Serving Gateway (S-GW), enabling packet data addressing through procedures such as user registration, bearer establishment, and context management, allowing UEs to connect to single or multiple PDNs with established IP bearers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the 3GPP LTE/SAE system uses dynamic IP address allocation, then the system complexity is reduced and address management is simplified, but the system cannot support services requiring static IP addresses such as Private PDN connections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport for static IP address servicesVSAvoidaddress management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by allocating and reserving static IP addresses in advance during user subscription setup. The HSS stores static IP address information for each subscriber, and when a user attaches to the network, the MME retrieves this pre-configured static IP address information and passes it through the S-GW to the P-GW, which then establishes bearers using these pre-allocated addresses. This eliminates the need for dynamic allocation during session establishment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the existing LTE/SAE network elements multi-functional by enabling them to handle both dynamic and static IP address scenarios. The HSS, MME, S-GW, and P-GW all acquire additional capabilities to support static IP address allocation and management while maintaining their existing functions for dynamic allocation, allowing a single system to serve multiple service requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If the system establishes separate bearers for each static IP address, then precise address routing is achieved, but the bearer management complexity and signaling overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaddress routing precisionVSAvoidbearer management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the bearer management by creating separate dedicated bearers for each static IP address requirement. When a user has multiple static IP addresses assigned, the system establishes individual bearers for each address, allowing precise routing control. Each bearer is configured with specific QoS parameters and is associated with a particular static IP address, enabling accurate traffic differentiation and routing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the system supports multiple PDN connections with static IP addresses, then service versatility is improved, but the network configuration and management difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-PDN connection capabilityVSAvoidnetwork configuration ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary configuration of multiple static IP addresses during user subscription setup. The HSS stores multiple static IP address entries for each subscriber, and when the user establishes multiple PDN connections, the MME automatically retrieves the appropriate pre-configured static IP address information for each connection based on the APN and service requirements, eliminating manual configuration complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2192728B1Method, system and device for supporting addressing the user static IP address in long term evolution system
Publication Date: 2020.05.27 CHINA ACAD OF TELECOMM TECH
  • EP2192728B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2192728B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2192728B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and relevant apparatuses for supporting addressing by a user static Internet Protocol (IP) address in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system. The method includes: when a user attaches to a network, downloading, by a Home Subscriber Server (HSS), user subscription data including a user static IP address and information of a corresponding Access Point Name (APN) to a Mobility Management Entity (MME); sending, by the MME, the user static IP address and the information of the corresponding APN to a Serving Gateway (S-GW) through a Create Default Bearer Request message; sending, by the S-GW, the user static IP address, the information of the corresponding APN and an address of an S-GW serving the user to a Packet Data Network Gateway (P-GW) corresponding to the APN which corresponds to the user static IP address; and establishing, by the P-GW, a default bearer according to the user static IP address, the information of the corresponding APN and the address of the S-GW serving the user. The present invention solves the packet data addressing problem of the user static IP address in a simple manner. The procedure is simple and convenient for use and has better applicability.