SGSN PDN Access Path Selection via MME Capability Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In Femtocell architectures, the Serving GPRS Supporting Node (SGSN) cannot determine whether User Equipment (UE) should access a Packet Data Network (PDN) through a Home Node B (HNB)/Home Evolved Node B (HeNB) directly or through a Gateway GPRS Supporting Node (GGSN)/PDN Gateway (GW), leading to inefficiencies in network resource management.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a Mobility Management Network Element (MME) to obtain access information about the capabilities of the HNB/HeNB, allowing the SGSN to decide whether to access the PDN through the Gi/SGi interface, thereby selecting the appropriate network element (NE) for direct access, either through the HNB/HeNB or GGSN/PDN GW based on the access information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the HNB/HeNB connects directly to the PDN to save network resources, then network resource utilization is improved, but the SGSN cannot determine the access path leading to inefficiencies in network resource management
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having the HNB/HeNB indicate its Gi/SGi interface capability in advance during initial communication. The MME obtains and stores this capability information before the UE initiates PDP context activation, enabling the SGSN to make informed decisions about the access path without needing to determine it at the moment of connection request.
Solution Approach 2:
The MME acts as an intermediary between the HNB/HeNB and the SGSN. It obtains the Gi/SGi interface capability information from the HNB/HeNB and provides this information to the SGSN, enabling the SGSN to determine whether the UE should access the PDN directly through the HNB/HeNB or through the traditional GGSN/PDN GW path.
2Ease of operation
If the SGSN selects a GGSN/PDN GW for all PDP context requests, then access path determination is simplified, but network resources are not optimized when direct HNB/HeNB access is available
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic access path selection based on real-time capability information. The SGSN can adaptively choose between two access paths (direct HNB/HeNB access or traditional GGSN/PDN GW access) depending on whether the HNB/HeNB indicates it has Gi/SGi interface capability, rather than using a static default path for all connections.
3Productivity
If the system collects and processes access information about HNB/HeNB capabilities, then direct access selection is enabled, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The MME performs multiple functions: it manages mobility, obtains capability information from HNBs, and provides this information to the SGSN for access path determination. By making the MME multi-functional, the system avoids adding separate dedicated components for capability management, thereby reducing overall system complexity while enabling direct access selection.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and an apparatus for accessing a Packet Data Network (PDN) are disclosed. The present invention relates to network technologies and is intended to this problem in the prior art: The Serving GPRS Supporting Node (SGSN) is unable to decide whether the User Equipment (UE) will access the PDN through a Home NodeB (HNB)/Home evolved NodeB (HeNB) directly or through a Gateway GPRS Supporting Node (GGSN)/PDN Gateway (GW). The method for accessing a PDN includes: obtaining access information; and selecting a Network Element (NE) to access the PDN through a Gi/SGi interface.