MME-Local Server Interface for LTE Session Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies face challenges in maintaining session continuity during inter-L-GW handovers in mobile communication networks, leading to frequent session breakages due to the lack of efficient mobility management across different local gateways.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a local server and defined interfaces between the Mobility Management Entity (MME) and local servers, as well as between local gateways and local servers, enables seamless data transmission by establishing tunnels for continuous data communication during handovers, ensuring that the User Equipment (UE) maintains connectivity with the same IP address across different L-GWs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If LIPA and SIPTO are implemented with integrated HeNB and L-GW to reduce core network traffic, then local traffic offload is improved, but session continuity is lost during inter-HeNB mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the network architecture by separating the L-GW from the HeNB and introducing an MME-local server interface. This segmentation allows the L-GW to remain stationary while the UE moves between HeNBs, maintaining session continuity while still enabling local traffic offload.
Solution Approach 2:
The MME acts as an intermediary between the L-GW and local servers, managing session information and coordinating handovers. This intermediary role enables the system to maintain session continuity during mobility while preserving the local traffic offload capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If LIMONET architecture with separate L-GW and HeNB is deployed to support inter-HeNB handover, then mobility is improved, but session continuity is lost during inter-L-GW handover
Solution Approach 1:
The MME-local server interface provides universal functionality by managing both intra-L-GW and inter-L-GW handovers through a unified mechanism. This multi-functional interface enables session continuity to be maintained regardless of whether the handover occurs within or between L-GWs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing the MME-local server interface and session management mechanisms before handovers occur. This preparation enables the system to handle inter-L-GW handovers seamlessly, maintaining session continuity without interruption.
3Area of stationary object
If frequent inter-L-GW handovers occur due to UE roaming, then network coverage is improved, but session breakages increase
Solution Approach 1:
The MME-local server interface maintains continuous session management during UE roaming and inter-L-GW handovers. By keeping the session information in the MME and using the established interface for coordination, the system ensures uninterrupted data communication even as the UE moves across different L-GW service areas.
Data Source
AI summary
A Mobility Management Entity (MME), a local server, an MME-local server interface, and a data transmission method are provided. The communication method of an MME supporting inter-gateway handover of a terminal includes acquiring, when a handover from a source gateway to a target gateway is detected during an ongoing data communication of the terminal, information on a session between the terminal and a server and transmitting, when the server is a local server present in a mobile communication core network, a tunnel setup command to the local server through an interface established with the local server, the tunnel setup command instructing to establish a tunnel between the local server and the target gateway for data communication from the local server to the target gateway.