PLMN Continuity Management for Cellular to GAN Handovers

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing technologies face challenges in maintaining PLMN continuity during handovers between cellular and GAN networks, leading to frequent disruptions of active communication sessions due to lack of coordination and synchronization between networks.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that allow mobile stations to maintain PLMN continuity by transmitting and receiving PLMN continuity preference information, enabling registration with a common PLMN or EPLMN across both cellular and GAN networks, and utilizing a GAN PLMN list to ensure seamless handovers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If mobile stations switch between cellular and GAN networks based on availability, then network coverage and connectivity options are improved, but PLMN continuity is disrupted and communication sessions are terminated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork connectivity optionsVSAvoidPLMN continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring PLMN continuity preferences and pre-establishing mapping relationships between cellular PLMNs and GAN PLMNs before network switching occurs. This allows the mobile station to maintain PLMN continuity awareness during handovers between cellular and GAN networks, preventing communication session disruptions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the mobile station exchanges PLMN continuity preference information with network nodes (GANC, SGSN, MGW) during registration and handover procedures. This feedback loop enables dynamic adjustment of PLMN selection to maintain continuity while allowing flexible network switching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If network nodes implement comprehensive PLMN continuity tracking, then communication session reliability is improved, but network complexity and signaling overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication session continuityVSAvoidnetwork node complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by implementing PLMN continuity tracking at specific critical network nodes (GANC during GAN mode, SGSN during circuit switched mode, MGW during voice over IP mode) rather than uniformly across the entire network. Each node maintains continuity information only when relevant to its function, reducing overall system complexity while ensuring reliability where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes network node functions universal by enabling multiple nodes (GANC, SGSN, MGW) to perform similar PLMN continuity tracking and preference management functions. This multi-functionality approach distributes the complexity across multiple specialized components rather than requiring a single complex centralized system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the system maintains separate PLMN lists for cellular and GAN networks, then network selection flexibility is improved, but PLMN continuity management becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork selection flexibilityVSAvoidPLMN management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the management of separate PLMN lists by establishing mapping relationships between cellular PLMNs and GAN PLMNs. Instead of maintaining completely separate lists, the system creates a linked structure where PLMN information from both cellular and GAN networks can be correlated, enabling continuity management while preserving selection flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamic PLMN list management where the lists can be actively updated and reconfigured based on network conditions, mobile station preferences, and handover requirements. The PLMN lists are not static but dynamically adjusted to maintain continuity while allowing flexible network selection across different access technologies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8626683B2Systems and methods for achieving PLMN continuity when moving between networks of different types through network selection

Publication Date: 2014.01.07 MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LTD

AI summary

Systems and methods for achieving PLMN continuity when moving between networks of different types through network selection are provided. When a mobile station moves from a first network type, such as cellular, to a second network type, such as GAN, if there is a PLMN discontinuity, this may result in a dropped call. In order to avoid this, networks for the first network type and the second network type are selected such that there is PLMN continuity. This can involve reselection of a different cellular network than one currently providing service to the mobile station.