PDU Session Path Identifier Forwarding for Faster Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 3GPP communication systems, the process of modifying a PDU session during handover between access network elements results in high signaling overheads and long switching delays due to the need for repeated exchange of tunnel information between the session management network element and user plane network elements.
Innovation Solution
A packet forwarding method where the session management network element sends a path identifier to an access or user plane network element, allowing them to forward data based on this identifier without re-establishing overlapping paths, thereby reducing signaling overheads and switching delays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the session management network element exchanges tunnel information multiple times to establish a session tunnel during PDU session modification, then the tunnel can be established between the target access network element and user plane network element, but signaling overheads increase and switching delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing a tunnel between the source access network element and the user plane network element before handover occurs. The tunnel information is determined in advance and stored, so that when handover happens, the target access network element can quickly establish its connection to the user plane network element using the pre-determined tunnel information, avoiding multiple rounds of signaling exchange and reducing switching delay
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by reusing the pre-established tunnel information from the source access network element. Instead of creating entirely new tunnel parameters through multiple negotiations, the system copies the proven working tunnel configuration and adapts it for the target access network element, significantly reducing the signaling overhead required for tunnel establishment
2Reliability
If the session management network element exchanges tunnel information multiple times to establish a session tunnel during PDU session modification, then the tunnel can be established between the target access network element and user plane network element, but signaling overheads increase
Solution Approach 1:
The session management network element performs preliminary actions by determining and storing tunnel information before handover occurs. This pre-determined tunnel information includes necessary parameters for establishing the user plane connection, eliminating the need for multiple rounds of signaling exchange between the target access network element and user plane network element during the actual handover process
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies copying by reusing the pre-established tunnel information from the source access network element configuration. The target access network element can directly utilize this copied tunnel information with minimal modification, significantly reducing the signaling overhead that would otherwise be required for complete tunnel re-negotiation
Data Source
AI summary
A packet forwarding method includes that a session management network element sends a path identifier to a first device, where the first device includes an access network element corresponding to a protocol data unit (PDU) session and a user plane network element corresponding to the PDU session, the PDU session corresponds to a first terminal, the path identifier indicates a first path from the access network element to the user plane network element, the first path includes a part or all of a second path, and the second path is a path corresponding to a PDU session pre-established by the session management network element for a second terminal. The session management network element further sends, to the first device, identification information of a destination address corresponding to the path identifier.