Multi-Access PDU Sessions for LTE–5G Traffic Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems struggle to enable user equipment to seamlessly access and manage multiple wireless networks, such as both LTE and 5G networks, for efficient traffic steering and switching.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a multi-access protocol data unit (MA-PDU) system that allows a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) to establish and manage connections across both 3GPP and non-3GPP access networks, including 5G NR and WLAN, enabling traffic steering and switching between these networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a WTRU establishes connections to multiple wireless networks (LTE and 5G), then network access versatility and traffic management capability are improved, but system complexity and connection management overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the multi-access PDU session into separate access legs (3GPP access leg and non-3GPP access leg), each independently managed. This allows the WTRU to handle multiple network connections by dividing the session management into manageable segments, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The MA-PDU session design creates a universal session structure that can accommodate multiple access types (3GPP and non-3GPP) through a common session management framework. This multi-functional approach allows single session to operate across different network types, improving versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a WTRU manages multiple access networks simultaneously, then traffic steering flexibility is improved, but connection management overhead and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the traffic management function into access-specific handling at each leg while maintaining centralized session management. This segmentation allows flexible traffic steering decisions to be made independently for each access type, reducing processing overhead while maintaining flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The MA-PDU session acts as an intermediary structure that coordinates between multiple access networks. It provides a unified management layer that simplifies the coordination and steering of traffic across different networks, reducing the complexity of direct multi-network management.
3Productivity
If existing PDN connections are associated with MA-PDU sessions, then network resource utilization is improved, but session establishment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes PDN connections in advance before creating MA-PDU sessions. This preliminary action allows existing connections to be reused and associated with new sessions, improving resource utilization while the systematic association process manages the complexity of session establishment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent reuses existing PDN connection parameters and configurations when establishing MA-PDU sessions. By copying and adapting existing connection data rather than creating entirely new configurations, the system improves resource utilization while reducing the complexity of session setup procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) may establish a multi-access (MA) protocol data unit (PDU) in accordance with the examples described herein. The WTRU may establish a new packet data network (PDN) connection or identify a suitable existing PDN connection in an evolved packet core (EPC), establish a MA-PDU in a 5G core network (5GC), and associate the existing PDN with the MA-PDU. The WTRU may already have a MA-PDU session established in 5GC with both 3GPP access leg and non-3GPP access leg in 5GC, and the WTRU may replace the 3GPP access leg in 5GC with a suitable PDN connection in EPC. The WTRU may send a request for establishing a single-access PDU session in 5GC via non-3GPP access, and a 5GC network may upgrade a PDU session established for the WTRU to a MA-PDU with 3GPP access leg in EPC.