Session Context Handling for 5G to 4G Handover Resource Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communications, when a terminal device handovers from a 5G network to a 4G network, the conversion of Ethernet PDU sessions to non-IP sessions often fails due to unsupported capabilities in the 3GPP external network, leading to resource wastage.
Innovation Solution
A session context handling method where a session management network element determines whether to generate a non-IP session context based on the capability information of the data network, skipping this action if the network does not support non-IP sessions, thereby conserving resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the session management network element converts Ethernet session context to non-IP session context during handover from 5G to 4G network, then the session can be established in the 4G network, but the conversion fails when the terminal device or external network does not support non-IP session, leading to resource waste
Solution Approach 1:
The session management network element performs preliminary capability verification by checking whether the terminal device and external network support non-IP sessions before converting the Ethernet session context to non-IP session context. This preliminary action prevents futile conversion attempts and avoids wasting network resources on incompatible devices or networks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by obtaining capability information about non-IP session support from the terminal device and external network. This feedback loop allows the session management network element to make informed decisions about whether to perform the Ethernet to non-IP conversion, ensuring compatibility and preventing resource waste.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the session management network element always generates non-IP session context from Ethernet or unstructured session context, then compatibility with 4G network is improved, but unnecessary conversion actions are performed when the data network does not support non-IP session, wasting network resources
Solution Approach 1:
The session management network element performs preliminary capability verification by checking whether the terminal device and external network support non-IP sessions before converting the Ethernet session context to non-IP session context. This preliminary action prevents futile conversion attempts and avoids wasting network resources on incompatible devices or networks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the session context type parameter based on capability verification results. When the data network supports non-IP sessions, the Ethernet session context is converted to non-IP type; when it does not support, the conversion is skipped. This parameter change approach ensures both compatibility and resource efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
This application relates to the field of wireless communications technologies, and in particular, to a session context handling method, a network element, and a terminal device. The method includes: receiving, by a session management network element, a first message that is from a mobility management network element and that is used to request to establish a session for a terminal device, where the first message carries an identifier of a data network; obtaining, by the session management network element, capability information of the data network based on the identifier of the data network; and when the capability information of the data network is that the data network supports a non-IP session, generating, by the session management network element, a non-IP session context based on an Ethernet or unstructured session context of the terminal device.