5G to 4G Mobility QoS Parameter Translation for PDU Sessions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3GPP Release 17 specifications do not provide for IP address preservation and proper handling of Quality of Service (QoS) Flows for protocol data unit (PDU) sessions created in 5G Standalone (SA) architecture during 5G to 4G to 3G mobility, leading to potential mismatches in QoS parameters between networks.
Innovation Solution
A control plane function entity facilitates 5G to 4G to 3G mobility by communicating messages for handover procedures, identifying the need for 2G/3G parameters, and performing bearer modification procedures with QoS updates to ensure seamless session continuity and QoS parameter alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If 5G to 4G to 3G mobility is implemented according to current 3GPP Release 17 specifications, then basic handover functionality is provided, but IP address preservation and QoS parameter alignment are not ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by establishing a mapping between 5G QoS parameters and 4G/3G QoS parameters during the handover preparation phase. The control plane function entity proactively translates and forwards appropriate QoS parameters to the target network before the actual handover occurs, ensuring that IP address preservation and QoS alignment are pre-configured to maintain session continuity across network generations.
2Speed
If basic handover procedures are followed without additional bearer modification procedures, then handover speed is maintained, but QoS parameter mismatches occur between networks
Solution Approach 1:
The control plane function entity acts as an intermediary between the 5G source network and the 4G/3G target network. It receives QoS parameters from the 5G network, translates them into appropriate 4G/3G QoS parameters, and forwards them to the target network. This intermediary function ensures accurate QoS parameter alignment without requiring direct complex interactions between source and target networks, thereby maintaining handover speed while achieving precise parameter matching.
3Manufacturing precision
If the control plane function entity communicates additional bearer modification procedures with QoS updates, then QoS parameter alignment is achieved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the QoS parameter translation and forwarding operations into the existing handover signaling procedures. Rather than introducing separate dedicated signaling messages for QoS parameter alignment, the control plane function entity integrates QoS parameter updates within the bear er modification procedures that are already part of the handover process. This combining approach achieves accurate QoS parameter alignment while minimizing additional signaling overhead by reusing existing protocol frameworks.
Data Source
AI summary
A control plane function entity for session management is operative to enable 5G to 4G to 3G mobility for a user equipment (UE). Initially, the entity may communicate one or more messages in a procedure for a handover of a session of the UE from a Fifth Generation System (5GS) to an Evolved Packet System (EPS). The entity may identify whether one or more indications indicate a need to provide 2G and/or 3G parameters. Based on identifying the one or more indications, the entity may communicate one or more messages in a bearer modification procedure with a bearer Quality of Service (QoS) update. In some implementations, the control plane function entity may identify the need to provide the 2G and/or the 3G parameters when the session is originally established in 5GS or when QoS parameters of a QoS Flow of the session are modified while the UE was in 5GS.