PGW Message Buffering During S1 Handover With SGW Relocation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods result in unnecessary GTPC signaling between the Packet Gateway (PGW) and Serving Gateway (SGW) during S1-handover with SGW relocation, particularly when the SGW is part of the same System Architecture Evolution Gateway (SAEGW) node, leading to inefficiencies and redundant signaling.

Innovation Solution

The PGW buffers bearer procedure messages and starts a guard timer when it determines that a Packet Data Network (PDN) is undergoing S1-handover with SGW-relocation, re-attempting the buffered messages upon completion of the handover or expiration of the guard timer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the PGW sends bearer procedure messages during S1-handover with SGW relocation, then the PGW can maintain normal bearer management procedures, but unnecessary GTPC signaling is generated between PGW and SGW leading to network inefficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork efficiencyVSAvoidGTPC signaling messages

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The PGW buffers bearer procedure messages before they are sent to the SGW during handover with relocation. By performing the buffering action in advance, the PGW prevents unnecessary signaling messages from being transmitted during the relocation period, thus improving network efficiency without compromising bearer management functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The PGW applies a guard timer mechanism that proactively blocks bearer procedure messages during the handover with relocation period. This preliminary anti-action prevents the generation of rejected signaling messages before they can cause network inefficiency, addressing the contradiction by stopping harmful signaling in advance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Productivity

If the PGW buffers bearer procedure messages during S1-handover with SGW relocation, then unnecessary GTPC signaling is reduced, but the buffering mechanism adds complexity to the PGW

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork efficiencyVSAvoidPGW signaling management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The PGW uses a guard timer that is started in advance when handover with relocation is detected. This preliminary timing mechanism automatically manages the buffering duration without requiring complex real-time decision logic, thus reducing signaling while adding minimal complexity through a simple timer-based approach

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The buffering mechanism is made dynamic through the guard timer, which automatically adjusts the buffering duration based on the handover completion status. The timer dynamically controls when to release buffered messages, providing adaptive signaling management without requiring complex static configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the PGW sends bearer procedure messages during ongoing SGW relocation, then normal bearer management can proceed, but signaling rejection occurs due to the relocation in progress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebearer management reliabilityVSAvoidsignaling rejection

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The PGW proactively detects handover with relocation and applies a guard timer to block bearer procedure messages during the relocation period. This preliminary anti-action prevents signaling rejections from occurring in the first place, maintaining bearer management reliability by avoiding conflicting operations during SGW relocation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The PGW buffers bearer procedure messages before the relocation conflict occurs. By performing the buffering action in advance upon detecting handover with relocation, the PGW ensures that no rejected signaling messages are generated, thus maintaining reliable bearer management without harmful rejections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12568413B2Method to reduce PGW initiated GTPC signaling during S1-handover with SGW relocation

Publication Date: 2026.03.03 PARALLEL WIRELESS INC

AI summary

A method, system and computer readable media for reducing Packet Gateway (PGW) initiated signaling with a Serving Gateway (SGW) is presented. In one example embodiment a method for reducing Packet Gateway (PGW) initiated signaling with a Serving Gateway (SGW), includes determining by the PGW that a Packet Data Network (PDN) is undergoing S1-handoverwith the SGW-relocation; buffering, by the PGW, bearer procedure messages and starting a guard timer; and re-attempting the buffered messages until a condition has been met.