Multi-Access PDU Session Transition Across 5G and EPC
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile communication networks face challenges in efficiently managing and transitioning multi-access protocol data unit (PDU) sessions across different generations and network types, such as between 5G and LTE networks, leading to inefficiencies in session management and continuity.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of methods and systems for managing multi-access PDU sessions, including procedures for establishing, transitioning, and upgrading PDU sessions between 3GPP and non-3GPP access legs, utilizing network entities and wireless transmit/receive units to facilitate seamless connectivity and resource sharing across different wireless technologies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multi-access PDU sessions are managed across different generations and network types, then network versatility and connectivity options are improved, but session management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the session management function by introducing separate control plane and user plane functions. The control plane handles session establishment and management while the user plane handles data transmission, allowing complex multi-access sessions to be managed through modular, independent components that reduce overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a session management function as an intermediary between the control plane and user plane. This intermediary coordinates the complex interactions between different network types (3GPP and non-3GPP access networks), simplifying the management of multi-access PDU sessions by centralizing control logic.
2Reliability
If seamless transitions between 3GPP and non-3GPP access legs are enabled, then service continuity is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing policy rules and routing information in the control plane before actual data transmission occurs. This allows the network to prepare transition paths and routing decisions in advance, reducing real-time signaling overhead during actual service continuity events.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the session management function continuously monitors the state of PDU sessions and adjusts routing decisions accordingly. This feedback loop enables seamless transitions by detecting conditions and initiating appropriate actions without requiring excessive signaling, as the system adapts dynamically based on actual network state.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
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.