PDN Gateway Bypassing External Networks for Mobile-to-Mobile Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in establishing connections between user equipment, particularly when they are not configured for device-to-device communication, leading to slower connection establishment and increased costs, and are impractical for long distances due to reliance on external packet data networks.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize a packet data node gateway to pair user equipment, allowing direct communication by converting uplink packets into downlink packets without transmitting through external networks, using mobility management entities to initiate pairings and inter-MME/inter-PGW communication for routing packets between user equipment served by different gateways.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If user equipment communicates through external packet data networks (Internet), then connection can be established between user equipment, but connection establishment time increases and additional costs are incurred

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection establishmentVSAvoidconnection establishment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a PDN gateway as an intermediary entity within the core network that mediates direct packet routing between user equipment. The gateway receives pairing requests, establishes pairings between source and target user equipment, and enables direct packet forwarding without requiring communication through external packet data networks, thus reducing connection establishment time and costs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of time

If device-to-device communication is used, then connection establishment is faster and costs are reduced, but communication is limited to short distances and requires specific configuration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection establishment timeVSAvoidcommunication distance and compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal communication mechanism that works for all user equipment regardless of D2D configuration or distance. The PDN gateway-based pairing system provides a multi-functional solution that can handle both local D2D-like direct routing and long-distance communication through the core network infrastructure, making the system adaptable to various scenarios without requiring specific device configurations

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If all user equipment communicates through the core network and external networks, then compatibility is maintained, but communication efficiency decreases and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork compatibilityVSAvoidcommunication efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality optimization by enabling direct packet routing at the PDN gateway level for paired user equipment, while maintaining the option to use standard core network routing for unpaired equipment. This creates different communication paths based on local conditions - direct efficient routing when pairing exists, and standard routing when it doesn't - thereby improving overall system efficiency while maintaining compatibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3510829B1Bypassing external packet data networks in mobile-to-mobile communication
Publication Date: 2022.01.26 NOKIA OF AMERICA CORP
  • EP3510829B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3510829B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3510829B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A first gateway (P-GW, 355) receives, from a source user equipment, (315) an uplink packet addressed to a target user equipment (320) and identifies a pairing between the source user equipment (315) and the target user equipment (320). The first gateway (355) routes the received uplink packet to the target user equipment directly through a second P-GW (370) bypassing Internet.