SGW Selection for Mobile Service Continuity

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Solution Overview

Problem

In the E-UTRAN network, the location area allocated by the mobility management device to a UE does not fully fall within the service area of the selected SGW, leading to a loss of user-plane connection between the access network device and the SGW, which prevents the UE from setting up uplink and downlink services when moving to a new location area.

Innovation Solution

A method where the mobility management device determines if a user-plane connection exists between the access network device and the preselected SGW, and if not, selects a second SGW with a user-plane connection to set up a bearer, ensuring continuous uplink and downlink services for the UE.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the location area allocated by the mobility management device to UE does not fully fall within the service area of the selected SGW, then the coverage area for UE mobility management is improved, but the user-plane connection between the access network device and the SGW is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation area coverageVSAvoiduser-plane connection
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a gateway selection mechanism where the mobility management device acts as an intermediary to select an appropriate SGW based on the UE's current location area. When the UE moves to a location area not covered by the current SGW's service area, the mobility management device selects a new SGW that covers the current location area, thereby maintaining the user-plane connection while preserving the expanded location area coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the UE moves to a location area outside the service area of the currently selected SGW, then the UE mobility flexibility is improved, but the service continuity is disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUE mobility flexibilityVSAvoidservice continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic SGW selection mechanism that adapts to UE mobility. When the UE moves to a new location area, the system dynamically determines whether the current SGW still covers the new area. If not, the system dynamically selects a new SGW that covers the current location area, ensuring service continuity while maintaining UE mobility flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mobility management device receives feedback about the UE's current location area and uses this information to determine whether the current SGW's service area covers the new location area. Based on this feedback, the system decides whether to keep the current SGW or select a new one, thereby maintaining service continuity while supporting UE mobility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If a new SGW is selected when the current SGW cannot serve the UE's current location area, then the service availability is improved, but the network complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice availabilityVSAvoidgateway selection mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mobility management device performs automated SGW selection based on the UE's current location area and the service area coverage information of available SGWs. The system autonomously determines whether to switch SGWs without requiring manual intervention, thereby improving service availability while managing network complexity through automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2339785B1Method, apparatus and system for processing service request
Publication Date: 2013.06.05 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP2339785B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2339785B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2339785B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A method, an apparatus, and a system for processing service requests are disclosed herein. The method includes: selecting a second Serving Gateway (SGW) if determining that no user-plane connection exists between an access network device and a first SGW after receiving a service request sent by User Equipment (UE) through the access network device, wherein the first SGW is a preselected SGW corresponding to the UE, and the second SGW has a user-plane connection with the access network device; and setting up a bearer on the second SGW When the UE sends a service request through an access network device which has no user-plane connection with the currently selected SGW, the embodiments of the present invention enable normal implementation of the uplink and downlink services requested by the UE, and avoid frequent relocation of the SGW when an idle UE moves at the border of the service area of the SGW