Multi-Access PDU Session Management for 5G Service Continuity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current 5G mobile communication networks face challenges in accommodating high-speed ultra-wide band services due to limitations in existing core network designs, particularly in achieving low latency and high reliability required for applications like autonomous driving and augmented reality, and there is a need for efficient management of multi-access PDU sessions across different access technologies.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of network slicing and enhanced PDU session management techniques, including combined establishment procedures for multi-access PDU sessions, allow for the creation of dedicated network resources tailored to specific services, enabling simultaneous access to multiple data networks and optimizing resource allocation across 3GPP and non-3GPP access technologies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single PDU session is established through one access technology, then the session management is simple, but service continuity cannot be guaranteed when moving between different access technologies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice continuityVSAvoidsession management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple PDU sessions (first PDU session through 3GPP access, second PDU session through non-3GPP access) into a unified MA PDU session. The SMF receives PDU session establishment requests from both accesses and correlates them to create a single MA PDU session context, ensuring service continuity while managing complexity through centralized session correlation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The MA PDU session acts as a universal session container that can accommodate multiple access technologies simultaneously. The session management function handles both 3GPP and non-3GPP accesses through a unified interface, allowing the same PDU session to be accessible through different access types without requiring separate management procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If separate PDU sessions are established for 3GPP and non-3GPP accesses, then each access can be managed independently, but resource allocation efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation efficiencyVSAvoidindependent access management
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges resource allocation for multiple accesses into a unified process. The SMF receives resource allocation requests from both 3GPP and non-3GPP accesses and performs centralized resource allocation for the MA PDU session, improving efficiency by avoiding duplicate resource provisioning while maintaining independent access management capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The SMF acts as an intermediary between the access networks and the core network resources. It receives requests from both 3GPP and non-3GPP accesses, correlates them to the same MA PDU session, and manages resource allocation centrally, thereby improving efficiency while preserving the independence of access management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If network slicing is implemented to support diverse services, then service-specific optimization is achieved, but network configuration complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice-specific optimizationVSAvoidnetwork configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The MA PDU session framework provides a universal structure that can accommodate multiple network slices simultaneously. Each slice can be configured for specific services (e.g., enhanced mobile broadband, ultra-reliable low-latency communication) while the underlying MA PDU session management remains unified, allowing service-specific optimization without proportionally increasing configuration complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3914034B1Methods for establishing a ma PDU session
Publication Date: 2024.12.04 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3914034B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3914034B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3914034B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

One disclosure of the present specification provides a method for using a multi-access (MA) protocol data unit (PDU) session of a terminal. The method may comprise the steps of: displaying a configuration screen on whether to use a MA PDU session; displaying information representing the establishment or use of the MA PDU session if the MA PDU session is configured to be usable and if two access networks are both in a usable state; and displaying detailed information on the MA PDU session.