Serving Gateway Bearer Processing via Message Source Mark
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Solution Overview
Problem
The Serving Gateway (S-GW) is unable to distinguish subsequent control plane signaling from which mobility management entity, leading to issues with bearer updates and releases in the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) network.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a message source mark in bearer processing messages to identify the sending entity, allowing the S-GW to differentiate between control plane signaling from the MME and SGSN, enabling accurate bearer processing operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the S-GW uses a single GTP-C tunnel identification to bind bearer information from both MME and SGSN, then the ISR function can be activated to reduce signaling, but the S-GW becomes unable to distinguish subsequent control plane signaling from which mobility management entity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the previously unified GTP-C tunnel identification into two separate identifiers: a first GTP-C tunnel identification for bearers bound to the MME and a second GTP-C tunnel identification for bearers bound to the SGSN. This segmentation allows the S-GW to distinguish the source of control plane signaling while maintaining the ISR function's signaling reduction benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different identification characteristics to different bearer types. The first GTP-C tunnel identification is specifically associated with MME-bound bearers, while the second is associated with SGSN-bound bearers. This localized differentiation enables the S-GW to identify message sources based on which identification is present in the signaling.
2Device complexity
If the S-GW cannot distinguish control plane signaling sources, then the architecture remains simple, but bearer updates and releases cannot be performed accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism in the form of distinct GTP-C tunnel identifications that act as mediators between the mobility management entities (MME/SGSN) and the S-GW. These identifiers enable the S-GW to accurately identify the signaling source and perform reliable bearer updates and releases without increasing overall architectural complexity.
3Loss of information
If separate GTP-C tunnel identifications are used for MME and SGSN bearers, then the S-GW can accurately identify message sources, but the signaling structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic identification mechanism where the presence or absence of specific GTP-C tunnel identifications in signaling messages dynamically indicates the message source. The S-GW adapts its processing based on which identification is present, eliminating the need for complex static configuration while maintaining accurate source identification.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides bearer processing methods, in one bearer processing method, the serving gateway receives a bearer processing message from a mobility management unit, wherein the bearer processing message carries a message source mark for identifying a sending entity of the bearer processing message; the serving gateway acquires the message source mark in the bearer processing message, and judges the sending entity of the bearer processing message according to the message source mark, and performs the bearer processing according to the result of the judgment. In accordance with the present invention, it is possible for the serving gateway to distinguish the sending entity of a message, so as to perform the subsequent related bearer processing.