Mobility Management Element Notifies UE of Local IP Access Connection Attributes
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Solution Overview
Problem
User Equipment (UE) lacks information about its current connection type, specifically whether it is a local IP access (LIPA) connection or a core network connection, and whether the LIPA connection supports mobility, which is crucial for seamless service continuity during handovers.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus where the mobility management element notifies the UE of the connection attributes, including the type of connection (LIPA or core network) and mobility support, during the establishment of a Packet Data Network (PDN) connection or bearer, using specific messages such as Attach Accept or Activate EPS Bearer Context messages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the UE establishes a LIPA connection for local access, then local service access is improved, but the UE lacks information about connection attributes which worsens service continuity during mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The network side (MME or local access gateway) performs preliminary action by determining and notifying the UE of connection attributes (LIPA connection type and mobility support) before the UE needs to make mobility decisions. This advance notification ensures the UE has the necessary information ready for seamless handover operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The network side provides feedback to the UE by notifying it of the connection attributes through specific messages (Attach Accept, Activate EPS Bearer Context messages). This feedback mechanism enables the UE to understand its current connection state and make appropriate mobility decisions.
2Device complexity
If the UE does not know connection attributes, then device complexity is reduced, but service continuity during handover deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The network side acts as an intermediary by determining and communicating connection attributes to the UE. Instead of requiring the UE to independently determine complex connection attributes, the network intermediary provides this information through standardized messages, maintaining simplicity while ensuring reliability.
3Reliability
If the network notifies UE of connection attributes, then service continuity is improved, but signaling message complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection attribute information is merged into existing standardized signaling messages (Attach Accept, Activate EPS Bearer Context messages) rather than creating separate notification messages. This combining approach provides necessary information while minimizing additional signaling overhead and message complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention discloses a method for notifying connection attributes of local IP access, comprising a mobility management element notifying the user terminal of connection attributes of the PDN connection in the procedure of establishing a PDN connection. The invention also discloses an apparatus for notifying connection attributes of local IP access, comprising: a determination unit for determining connection attributes of the PDN connection for user terminal in the process of establishing the PDN connection; a notification unit for notifying the user terminal of the connection attributes of the PDN connection. After determining the PDN connection to be established for UE, the mobility management element at the network side of the invention notifies the UE of the information of type and attribute of the PDN connection at the same time so as to facilitate the UE determining the corresponding access policy according to the attribute information of current PDN connection when moving.