MEC User Plane Device for Seamless Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile communication systems face challenges in managing user equipment (UE) connections and handovers efficiently, particularly in Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) environments, where packet extraction and IP address management are complex, leading to requirements for frequent UE disconnections and reconnections, and limitations in international roaming and packet extraction across operator networks.
Innovation Solution
The system introduces a common address range for multiple networks, allowing the Mobility Management Entity (MME) to dynamically assign control plane and user plane devices, including MEC S/PGW-C and MEC SGW-U, based on predetermined conditions, load status, and user-specific parameters, enabling seamless communication and service continuity during handovers without the need for frequent disconnections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional PGW-U is used for UE connection management, then packet extraction and IP address management are possible, but frequent UE disconnections and reconnections are required during handovers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the user plane functionality from the traditional PGW-U and relocates it to MEC SGW-U devices distributed at network edges. This allows UE connections to be maintained locally during handovers without requiring disconnection and reconnection to centralised PGW-U, thus improving service continuity and reducing disconnection time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces MEC SGW-U as an intermediary device between UE and MEC servers. This intermediary maintains user plane connections and handles packet forwarding during handovers, eliminating the need for frequent disconnections and reconnections to the core network PGW-U.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple networks use separate address ranges, then network security and management are simplified, but packet extraction across operator networks is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a common address range that is shared across multiple operator networks and MEC systems. This universal address space enables packets to be extracted and routed across different operator networks without complex address translation, while the system maintains security through controlled access and authentication mechanisms.
3Reliability
If MEC SGW-U is deployed at network edges, then service continuity during handovers is improved, but device complexity and deployment complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the traditional monolithic PGW function into separate MEC SGW-U instances distributed at network edges. Each MEC SGW-U handles local user plane traffic independently, improving handover continuity. The segmentation is managed through a control plane that coordinates between MEC SGW-U devices, balancing the distributed architecture's complexity with operational simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a system, comprising: a control plane device; and a plurality of user plane devices, wherein the control plane device including: a request receiving unit for receiving a session generating request transmitted by a mobility management device, which has received a connection request from a user terminal; a user plane device selection unit for selecting a user plane device corresponding to the user terminal from the plurality of user plane devices, based on the session generating request; an address acquiring unit for obtaining an IP address assigned to the user terminal based on the session generating request; and a response transmission unit for transmitting a session generating response including the IP address assigned to the user terminal, identification information and IP address of the user plane device selected by the user plane device selection unit, and IP address of a PGW-U.