LTE UE APN Selection via Capability Analysis

Solution Overview

Problem

The initial attach procedure in LTE networks requires a default access point name (APN) to be provisioned during device attachment, leading to unnecessary reservation of multiple APNs even when only one is needed, resulting in inefficient resource allocation and additional bearers for services like VoLTE.

Innovation Solution

A method and user equipment (UE) that analyze communication capabilities and user preferences to determine the appropriate APN, which is then provided to the control node for establishing a bearer, allowing for optimized APN selection and reducing unnecessary APN reservations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a default APN is provisioned during initial attach procedure, then the device can establish basic packet connectivity, but unnecessary APNs are reserved leading to inefficient resource allocation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource allocation efficiencyVSAvoidnumber of reserved APNs

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs preliminary analysis of its communication capabilities and user preferences before the initial attach procedure to determine the appropriate APN in advance. This preliminary action allows the device to request only the necessary APN during attach, avoiding unnecessary reservations and improving resource allocation efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameter of APN selection from a fixed default approach to a dynamic determination based on communication capabilities and user preferences. By analyzing device-specific parameters and service requirements, the system optimizes APN selection to match actual needs, reducing unnecessary APN reservations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple APNs are reserved during initial attach, then the device can access multiple services, but additional bearers are created increasing device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice access capabilityVSAvoidnumber of bearers

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs preliminary analysis of its communication capabilities and user preferences before the initial attach procedure to determine the appropriate APN in advance. This preliminary action allows the device to request only the necessary APN during attach, avoiding unnecessary reservations and improving resource allocation efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameter of APN selection from a fixed default approach to a dynamic determination based on communication capabilities and user preferences. By analyzing device-specific parameters and service requirements, the system optimizes APN selection to match actual needs, reducing unnecessary APN reservations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10159056B2Method and apparatus for requesting an initial attachment of a UE to PS mobile communication network

Publication Date: 2018.12.18 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

Methods are disclosed for requesting an initial attachment of a user equipment (UE) to a packet switched mobile communication network. One method includes analyzing the communication capability of the UE, determining an access point name (APN) based on the result of the analysis. The APN is an address of a gateway node between the packet switched mobile communication network and a further packet switched network. The APN is provided to a control node of the packet switched mobile communication network to establish a bearer to the gateway node. Corresponding operations performed by UEs are disclosed.