Multi-Access User Plane Handling for NR and NTN Sessions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems fail to distinguish between different 3GPP access technologies used by a terminal device, preventing effective user plane operations when multiple 3GPP accesses are employed, such as NR and NTN accesses.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that identify and differentiate between 3GPP access types and radio access technology types, enabling user plane operations by sending this information to network elements for proper MA PDU session establishment and management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple 3GPP accesses (NR and NTN) are used simultaneously for ATSSS features, then access diversity and communication reliability are improved, but the core network element cannot distinguish between different access technologies, leading to inability to perform user plane operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the access type information into two distinct parts: access type (3GPP/non-3GPP) and radio access technology type (NR/NTN/LTE). This segmentation allows the core network to process and distinguish different access technologies separately, resolving the information loss problem while maintaining communication reliability through multi-access usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension of information by introducing the radio access technology type parameter alongside the existing access type parameter. This dimensional expansion enables the core network to differentiate between NR and NTN accesses, transforming the previously undifferentiated multi-access scenario into a distinguishable multi-dimensional access framework.
2Ease of operation
If access type information is sent to network elements, then user plane operations can be performed, but the system complexity increases due to additional information management requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the terminal device determine and report both access type and radio access technology type information to the network element before user plane operations are initiated. This advance information provision simplifies subsequent network operations, as the core network already possesses the necessary differentiation data to perform user plane operations without additional complexity during the operation phase.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for implementing a multi-access communication includes: obtaining an access type and a radio access technology type used by a terminal device for an access, sending the access type and the radio access technology type to a different network element, and performing a user plane operation with the terminal device according to the access type and the radio access technology type.