MA PDU Session Management for 3GPP and Non-3GPP Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions do not exist for switching between a 3GPP access type and non-3GPP access type, or between two distinct 3GPP access types in multi-access-protocol data unit (MA PDU) sessions, which are crucial for seamless access switching.
Innovation Solution
A method is implemented to create a multi-access-protocol data unit (MA PDU) policy association establishment session based on configured rules for simultaneous access to two 3GPP networks, involving a session establishment request, PDU session create request, and reconfiguration message to enable switching between access types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If MA PDU session is used to enable access switching between 3GPP and non-3GPP access types, then access switching capability is improved, but solution completeness deteriorates because no solutions exist for switching between two distinct 3GPP access types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the MA PDU session framework to provide universal access switching capability across all access type combinations. The enhanced MA PDU session can now handle switching between 3GPP and non-3GPP access types, as well as switching between two distinct 3GPP access types (e.g., home network and visited network), making the solution complete and applicable to all scenarios.
2Adaptability or versatility
If simultaneous connection to multiple access networks is enabled, then network flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple independent tunnels and protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the management of multiple independent tunnels and access types into a unified MA PDU session framework. By combining the control functions for 3GPP and non-3GPP access types, as well as for different 3GPP access types, into a single session management structure, the complexity of managing multiple connections is reduced while maintaining network flexibility.
3Ease of operation
If access switching between different access types is implemented, then user experience is improved, but implementation complexity increases due to lack of existing solutions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary configuration and setup of the MA PDU session before actual access switching occurs. The network establishes the necessary policies, tunnels, and routing information in advance, so that when switching is needed, the infrastructure is already in place and ready for rapid transition, simplifying the implementation of user experience improvements.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for session management for a DualSteer device are provided herein. In some implementations, a method may include receiving a session establishment request from a UE registered in a first PLMN and connected to a first 3GPP access network and a non-3GPP access network simultaneously. In addition, the method may include sending, from the first PLMN, a PDU session create request to a second PLMN. The method may include creating, at the second PLMN a MA PDU policy association establishment session in response to the PDU session create request, the MA PDU policy association establishment session based on configured rules for accessing two 3GPP access networks simultaneously. The method may include sending, from the second PLMN, a PDU session create response to the first PLMN. Also, the method may include sending, from the first PLMN to the UE, a PDU session request and a reconfiguration message.