Service Equivalency Indicator for Flexible PDN Connection Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing implementation of service equivalency in LTE systems restricts network deployment by assuming all PLMNs on the equivalency list have the same PDN capabilities, leading to limitations in deploying networks with differing PDN connectivity capabilities, and results in inefficient session management signaling overheads when service equivalency is not fully supported.
Innovation Solution
Introducing a service equivalency indicator that allows network operators to control the implementation of service equivalency between PLMNs, enabling UEs to determine whether to apply service equivalency based on pre-configuration or network-provided indicators, thereby allowing flexible deployment of networks with varying PDN capabilities without entirely removing support for service equivalency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If service equivalency is implemented assuming all PLMNs on the equivalency list have the same PDN capabilities, then network deployment flexibility is reduced, but implementation complexity is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by introducing a service equivalency indicator that allows different PLMNs to have different service capabilities specified locally. Instead of assuming uniform PDN capabilities across all PLMNs in the equivalency list, each PLMN can individually specify whether it supports service equivalency through the indicator parameter, enabling differentiated local configurations within the overall service equivalency framework.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter state by introducing a new indicator parameter that modifies the service equivalency behavior. This parameter allows the network to dynamically adjust whether service equivalency is applied based on actual PLMN capabilities, transforming the rigid assumption of uniform capabilities into a flexible parameter-driven approach that can adapt to different deployment scenarios.
2Loss of energy
If service equivalency is fully supported across all PLMNs, then signaling overhead is reduced, but network deployment flexibility is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making service equivalency application conditional rather than static. The service equivalency indicator parameter enables the system to dynamically determine whether service equivalency should be applied based on actual network capabilities. This dynamic approach allows the network to optimize signaling overhead by applying service equivalency where appropriate while maintaining deployment flexibility where capabilities differ.
3Adaptability or versatility
If service equivalency is not supported, then network deployment flexibility is maintained, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism - the service equivalency indicator parameter - that mediates between the need for deployment flexibility and the desire to reduce signaling overhead. This indicator acts as a switch that can be set based on actual network capabilities, allowing the system to optimize signaling efficiency without compromising the underlying deployment flexibility. The indicator enables selective application of service equivalency rather than forcing a binary choice between the two opposing requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for configuring a connection between a User Equipment, UE, and a 3rd Generation Partnership Project, 3GPP, compliant mobile communications network at the UE. The method comprises checking a service equivalency indicator, the service equivalency indicator indicating zero or more mobile communications networks the UE is permitted to transmit a new request for a PDN connection corresponding to a previously rejected request for a PDN connection. If the service equivalency indicator indicates that there is at least one mobile communications network including the mobile communications network to which the UE is currently attached for which it is permitted to transmit a request for a PDN connection corresponding to a previously rejected request for a PDN connection, and a new PDN connection corresponding to a previously rejected request for a PDN connection is required, the method further comprises transmitting a new request for a PDN connection, the new request corresponding to a previously rejected request for a PDN connection.