EPS Bearer Activation via PGW Credit Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile terminals fail to register successfully in LTE networks due to lack of valid data service or credit, leading to service denial without clear notification, especially in roaming scenarios where traditional circuit-switched messaging is not available, resulting in repeated attach procedure failures and service unavailability.
Innovation Solution
A method where a packet data network gateway analyzes negative credit control responses and transmits a Create Session Response message with a bearer activation key to a Mobility Management Entity, enabling directional EPS bearer activation between the network and mobile terminal, allowing initial downlink or uplink connections for signaling traffic before data transmission, thus facilitating service activation and user notification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the mobile terminal attempts to register in the LTE network without valid data service or credit, then the attach procedure is repeated multiple times, but the registration fails and no service is provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by checking credit status and data service validity before completing the attach procedure. The network performs credit verification and service availability checks in advance, and only if these checks pass does the network send the attach accept message. This prevents mobile terminals without valid services from repeatedly attempting attachment, thereby reducing registration failures and saving time.
2Ease of operation
If the customer roams in another country's LTE network, then the same registration problem occurs, but the customer cannot book data service via mobile terminal because registration fails first
Solution Approach 1:
In roaming scenarios, the patent applies preliminary action by having the home network verify credit status and data service availability before allowing attachment to the visited network. The credit check and service validation are performed in advance during the attach procedure, ensuring that only customers with valid roaming services can successfully register. This enables customers to book data services via their mobile terminals once registered, resolving the circular dependency problem.
3Device complexity
If the CS domain is removed in LTE network, then the network structure is simplified, but the ability to send notification messages to customers about missing data packages is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the PS domain as an intermediary to deliver notification messages about missing data packages. Instead of relying on the removed CS domain, the network sends these notifications through packet-switched channels during the attach procedure or subsequent data sessions. This maintains the simplified LTE architecture while preserving the ability to inform customers about service status and billing information.
Data Source
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AI summary
Method for establishing an EPS Bearer for a mobile terminal (UE, 200, 400) in a telecommunications network (240, 280, 440, 480), and a packet data network gateway (PGW, 260, 460) receives and analyses a negative response message from a charging system (OCS/PCRF, 270, 470), characterized in that, when an update location procedure of the mobile terminal (UE, 200, 400) is successfully completed in the telecommunications network (240, 280, 440, 480), the packet data network gateway (260, 460) transmits a message (via the signalling gateway, SGW) to a Mobility Management Entity (MME, 220, 420), whereby the message comprises a bearer activation key, the mobility management entity activates an EPS bearer between the telecommunications network and the mobile terminal by using the received bearer activation key.