SGW Relocation via MME Triggering for Transport Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3GPP Evolved Packet System (EPS) architecture lacks a mechanism to efficiently relocate the Serving Gateway (SGW) without mobility-related procedures, leading to suboptimal traffic paths due to subscriber movements and changes in traffic patterns, resulting in inefficient transport network utilization and increased signaling load in enterprise networks.
Innovation Solution
A method for relocating the SGW independently of mobility events by triggering a relocation from a Mobility Management Entity (MME) through a series of steps, including sending a Create Session Request to a target SGW, updating IP addresses, and deleting sessions from the source SGW, allowing for transport optimization without disrupting user equipment connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If SGW relocation is performed only through mobility-related procedures (handover, TAU), then the system maintains simplicity and follows existing standards, but transport network utilization becomes suboptimal when subscriber movements or traffic pattern changes occur without triggering mobility events
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic SGW relocation capability that allows the SGW to be relocated not only during mobility events but also based on traffic pattern changes and network optimization needs. The MME can trigger relocation procedures (Create Session Request to target SGW, Delete Session Request from source SGW) dynamically without being constrained by traditional mobility-triggered procedures, making the system adaptable to changing conditions while maintaining operational simplicity through standardized interface usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the triggering parameters for SGW relocation from solely mobility-related events (handover, TAU) to include traffic pattern changes, load conditions, and network optimization criteria. By modifying the conditions under which relocation is initiated while using existing standardized messages (Create Session Request, Delete Session Request), the system achieves better transport network utilization without introducing complex new procedures.
2Productivity
If SGW relocation is triggered frequently to optimize traffic paths, then transport efficiency improves, but signaling load increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback-based relocation mechanism where the MME evaluates current network conditions, subscriber location, and traffic patterns before triggering SGW relocation. The system monitors whether relocation conditions are met and only initiates relocation when beneficial, using standardized messages (Create Session Request, Delete Session Request) to avoid unnecessary signaling while maintaining optimal traffic routing efficiency.
3Productivity
If the SGW service area is made smaller to enable more frequent relocation and better local routing, then transport optimization improves, but the number of SGW relocation events increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables dynamic adjustment of SGW service area boundaries and relocation triggers based on actual network conditions and traffic patterns. Rather than using fixed small service areas that would cause frequent relocations, the system dynamically determines optimal SGW selection based on current subscriber location and traffic flow, achieving local routing optimization without excessive relocation events through standardized procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A technique for relocating a Serving Gateway associated to a User Equipment is described. One method implementation of this technique is performed in a Mobility Management Entity, MME, and comprises the steps of a) triggering, from the MME, a relocation of a source SGW to a target SGW by sending a Create Session Request message to the target SGW, b) receiving, from the target SGW, a Create Session Response message including SI General Packet Radio Service, GPRS, Tunnelling Protocol, GTP, endpoints of the target SGW, c) updating, from the MME to an Evolved NodeB, eNB, an Internet Protocol, IP, address and a Tunnel Endpoint IDentifier, TEID, of the target SGW, and d) sending, from the MME to the source SGW, a Delete Session Request to delete a session.