Multi-USIM UE Seamless Roaming via Home-Routed Internetworking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3GPP specifications do not support seamless session continuity for multi-USIM UEs when roaming between different networks, especially when one network has limited or spotty coverage, and the UE cannot maintain a consistent IP address across networks without complex link aggregation mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a network architecture that uses a home-routed internetworking model to maintain IP address and session continuity across different networks. This architecture allows a multi-USIM UE to operate simultaneously in both PLMNs, using a common gateway process and maintaining a uniform IP address, thereby enabling seamless roaming and service continuity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a multi-USIM UE uses complex link aggregation mechanisms to maintain IP address consistency across networks, then IP address continuity is improved, but device complexity and network complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network entity (such as a gateway or network controller) that acts as an intermediary to manage IP address allocation and maintain continuity across different PLMNs. This intermediary handles the complexity of IP address management on the network side, relieving the UE from implementing complex link aggregation mechanisms while ensuring seamless IP address continuity during network transitions.
2Reliability
If 3GPP specifications implement seamless session continuity for multi-USIM UEs roaming between different networks, then service continuity is improved, but specification complexity and implementation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent proposes a universal session management mechanism that can handle multiple scenarios (roaming between different PLMNs, handover between networks, multi-USIM operations) through a single unified framework. This multi-functional approach simplifies the specifications by providing general-purpose procedures that cover various roaming and session continuity scenarios, reducing implementation complexity while maintaining seamless service continuity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a UE operates simultaneously in both PLMNs with a common gateway process, then service access is improved, but network architecture complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the gateway functions for multiple PLMNs into a single common gateway process that can handle sessions for both networks. This consolidation allows the UE to operate simultaneously in both PLMNs with unified session management, improving service access versatility. The common gateway handles IP address allocation, session establishment, and management for both networks, reducing the need for separate gateway infrastructures while maintaining adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods for interworking a user device in one or more wireless networks. In one embodiment, the apparatus and methods provide enhanced wireless services which enable operation of a given user device (e.g., a mobile 3GPP-compliant UE) within two or more mobile networks (e.g., PLMNs), such as a macro network and micro network. In one implementation, the UE contains multiple SIM cards to enable connection to different networks simultaneously. Accordingly, the UE can roam between two different networks seamlessly, regardless of whether the operators of each are independent or the same operator. Enhanced network capability as described herein advantageously allows for interworking between the macro and micro (e.g., small-cell) layers of the system without complicated network configuration requirements between the two operating networks as required under the prior art.