MME Session Classification for 2G-5G Mobility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems face challenges in maintaining seamless network connections when transitioning from 2G/3G to 5G technology, often resulting in time-out failures due to the lack of support for session transfers between these platforms, especially when using a 4G platform as an intermediary.
Innovation Solution
Enhancing the Mobility Management Entity (MME) to classify and manage sessions anchored in different gateways (GGSN, PGW, or SMF), allowing it to transfer transferrable sessions and terminate non-transferrable ones, thereby facilitating smooth transitions between 2G/3G and 5G networks through a 4G platform without waiting for timeout failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the system allows direct transition from 2G/3G to 5G platforms, then network transition speed is improved, but connection reliability deteriorates due to timeout failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a 4G platform as an intermediary between 2G/3G and 5G networks. When a device needs to transition from 2G/3G to 5G, it first connects to the 4G platform, which then facilitates the transition to 5G. This intermediary approach allows the system to maintain connection reliability while achieving fast transition speeds, as the 4G platform can properly establish and transfer sessions between the older and newer network technologies.
2Reliability
If the MME waits for timeout failure before reestablishing connections, then session transfer completeness is improved, but transition time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The MME performs preliminary classification of sessions as transferrable or non-transferrable before the transition actually occurs. By proactively identifying which sessions can be transferred and which cannot, the MME can immediately begin reestablishment procedures for non-transferrable sessions without waiting for timeout failures. This preliminary action significantly reduces transition time while maintaining session transfer completeness.
3Ease of operation
If the MME classifies and manages all sessions, then transition smoothness is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The MME classifies sessions into distinct categories (transferrable and non-transferrable) based on their anchoring gateways. This segmentation allows the system to apply different handling procedures to different session types, simplifying the overall management process. Rather than treating all sessions uniformly, the classification enables targeted management that improves transition smoothness while keeping the system manageable through clear categorization.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to maintaining a network connection while moving from location to location as between different technologies such as from the 2G/3G to the 5G standard, and vice versa. A mobility management entity (MME), e.g., on a 4G platform, controls the transfers of sessions from the 4G platform to the 2G/3G platform when the and/or from the 4G platform to the 5G platform. The MME classifies different sessions on the UE as anchored in GGSN, PGW or SMF. When needed, the MME is then able to transfer the sessions that are transferrable and to terminate the ones that cannot be transferred. By terminating the ones that cannot be transferred, the device can begin reestablishing the connection without waiting, e.g., without waiting for the timeout failure to occur.