Relay UE Packet Data Network Connection via ProSe
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In communication systems, establishing efficient packet data network connections between ProSe user equipment and a 3GPP network via a relay user equipment is challenging, particularly in scenarios where direct UE-UE communication is necessary without network coverage, and existing methods complicate bearer and connection mapping between ProSe UEs and the relay UE.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves a relay user equipment that performs layer 2 switching and acts as a bridge or proxy for the non-access stratum protocol, establishing a relay connection within a packet data network connection, allowing the packet data network gateway to assign IP addresses and manage bearers without the relay UE performing IP-level control, thus maintaining transparency to network nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the relay UE performs IP-level control and NATting to share connections among ProSe UEs, then connection sharing capability is improved, but device complexity and control overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the packet data network gateway as an intermediary that performs IP address allocation and bearer management functions. The relay UE no longer needs to perform complex IP-level control and NATting operations, as these functions are offloaded to the gateway which acts as a mediator between the ProSe UEs and the packet data network.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the relay UE assigns private IPv4 addresses and performs NATting, then IP address management flexibility is improved, but network transparency and authorization control are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The packet data network gateway serves as an intermediary that maintains network transparency by performing centralized IP address allocation and authorization control. This eliminates the need for relay UE to perform NATting, ensuring that the network can directly manage and authorize connections while the gateway handles IP address management flexibly for multiple ProSe UEs.
3Reliability
If multiple EPS bearers are established for each ProSe UE through the relay UE, then connection reliability is improved, but resource efficiency and network overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple ProSe UE connections into a single packet data network connection through the gateway. Instead of establishing separate EPS bearers for each ProSe UE through the relay UE, the gateway consolidates these connections, allowing multiple UEs to share resources efficiently while maintaining connection reliability through centralized management.
4Ease of operation
If the relay UE acts as an IP router for ProSe UEs, then connectivity control capability is improved, but device complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The packet data network gateway acts as an intermediary that takes over the IP routing and connectivity control functions from the relay UE. The relay UE is relieved of complex routing decisions and processing overhead, while the gateway provides centralized connectivity control for all connected ProSe UEs, maintaining ease of operation without the complexity burden.
Data Source
AI summary
Various communication systems may benefit from the use of relayed packet data connection. Moreover, such communication systems may benefit from methods and systems for the establishment of a packet data network connection for a proximity services user equipment via a relay user equipment. A method can include establishing a packet data network connection between a relay user equipment and a packet data network gateway. The method can also include establishing a relay connection between a proximity services user equipment and the packet data network gateway. The relay connection can be a connection within the packet data network connection.