Serving Gateway Selection Using DCNR Support in 5G NSA
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G Non-Standalone (NSA) architecture deployments, there is an inefficient use of 5G network resources as 5G-capable user equipment (UE) is assigned to 5G-capable serving gateways (SGWs) even when 5G services are not available, leading to suboptimal allocation and utilization of limited resources.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for selecting a serving gateway (SGW) based on Dual Connectivity with New Radio (DCNR) support indication from eNodeB, combined with UE capability and subscription data, to ensure that 5G-capable SGWs are only used when necessary, optimizing resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If 5G-capable UE is always assigned to 5G-capable SGWs, then 5G service capability is ensured, but 5G network resources are wasted when 5G services are not available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the SGW selection parameter from static (always 5G-capable) to dynamic (based on eNB DCNR support indication). The MME retrieves and stores DCNR support indications from eNBs, then uses this information to dynamically select appropriate SGWs - 5G-capable SGWs only when DCNR is supported, legacy SGWs when it is not, thereby optimizing resource utilization while maintaining service capability.
2Reliability
If 5G-capable SGWs are used for all UEs, then service quality is maintained, but resource allocation efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making SGW capability matching localized to each eNB-UE pair. Instead of a blanket 5G-capable SGW assignment, the system checks the specific eNB's DCNR support indication and matches UE capability with appropriate SGW capability - 5G-capable SGWs for DCNR-supporting eNBs, legacy SGWs for non-DCNR eNBs, optimizing resource allocation efficiency while maintaining service quality.
3Productivity
If DCNR support indication is checked for SGW selection, then resource utilization is optimized, but selection process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the MME proactively retrieve and store DCNR support indications from eNBs in advance (via S1 Setup Request/Response or S1 Setup Update messages) before actual SGW selection is needed. This pre-fetching and caching of capability information simplifies the real-time SGW selection process, as the MME can directly use stored indication data without complex real-time queries, thus optimizing resource utilization while minimizing selection process complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
One or more controllers of a control plane, CP, entity, e.g. a mobility management entity or MME, for use in a mobile network is configured to receive or obtain an indication (504) which indicates whether an eNodeB, eNB, is configured to support Dual Connectivity with New Radio, DCNR, for a 5G Non-Standalone architecture, NSA, deployment. The one or more controllers may be further configured to select (512), based on the indication, one of a plurality of serving gateways, SGWs, for a session of a user equipment, UE, served by the eNB. Additional information may be used as a basis for the SGW selection, including UE capability and UE subscription data. For example, when the indication indicates that the eNB is configured to support DCNR and the UE capability and subscription data indicate 5G capability, a 5G-capable SGW may be selected but otherwise a legacy, i.e. non-5G, SGW may be selected. Accordingly, the present techniques may provide for a more optimal assignment and utilization of, e.g. potentially limited, 5G network resources in such mobile networks.