SGW Access Mode Detection for ISR Bearer Consistency

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Solution Overview

Problem

In the idle mode signaling reduction (ISR) mechanism, the network side cannot determine the current access mode of a user, leading to inconsistencies between the Policy and Charging (PCC) policy and the actual network access mode, causing issues during bearer establishment, modification, or deletion procedures.

Innovation Solution

A method and system where the Serving Gateway (SGW) confirms the user equipment's idle state, acquires the current network access mode from the Mobility Management Entity, notifies the Packet Data Network Gateway (PGW) of any inconsistencies, and updates the PCC rule accordingly to ensure bearer processing aligns with the current network access mode.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the ISR mechanism is adopted for 2G and/or 3G, then signaling over air interface is reduced, but the network side cannot know the specific access mode of the user

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignaling over air interfaceVSAvoidaccess mode information
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the SGW acts as a mediator between the PGW and the mobility management network elements. The SGW receives bearer requests from the PGW, determines the user's current access mode through interaction with MME/SGSN, and then provides this information back to the PGW. This intermediary approach allows the system to maintain signaling reduction benefits while recovering the lost access mode information through a coordinated multi-element interaction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the PGW initiates bearer establishing/modifying/deleting procedure based on source side PCC policy, then the bearer procedure can be executed, but the PCC policy may be inconsistent with the current access mode

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebearer procedure executionVSAvoidPCC policy consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the SGW determine the user's current access mode before the PGW executes the bearer procedure. The SGW proactively queries the mobility management network element to obtain up-to-date access mode information and prepares this information for the PGW's decision-making process. This preliminary determination ensures that the PGW receives accurate access mode information before initiating bearer procedures, preventing policy inconsistencies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the SGW provides the determined access mode information back to the PGW. The PGW uses this feedback to adjust its PCC policy selection and bearer procedure execution accordingly. This closed-loop feedback ensures that the PCC policy remains consistent with the user's actual access mode, resolving the contradiction between procedure execution and policy consistency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2400811B2Method and system for processing a radio bearer under the idle mode signaling reduction (ISR) mechanism
Publication Date: 2018.10.24 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP2400811B2 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2400811B2 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP2400811B2 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

A method and a system for processing a bearer under an idle mode signaling reduction (ISR) mechanism are provided. The method for processing a bearer under an ISR mechanism includes the following steps. A serving gatewayreceives a create bearer request triggered by a packet data network gateway, PGW, stores the create bearer request and notifies a mobility management network element to page a user equipment , UE, receives an access mode of a current network sent by the mobility management network element, and performs a bearer processing according to the access mode of the current network It can be ensured that the access mode of the current network is consistent with the access mode for a policy and charging control (PCC) strategy adopted during a bearing procedure under the ISR mechanism.