SIPTO Service Continuity in Local Network Handoffs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current technologies lack a universal solution for determining whether to maintain service continuity of SIPTO services when a user equipment (UE) moves to another NodeB, especially in cases where SIPTO is supported by both local and macro networks, leading to inconsistent service continuity.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the Mobility Management Entity (MME) determines service continuity by analyzing the Access Point Name (APN) identifier and Local Haul Network (LHN) ID during handoff procedures, ensuring that SIPTO services are maintained according to operator policies and network connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the network uses different service scenarios (LIPA and SIPTO) with different network architectures, then service flexibility is improved, but service continuity determination becomes complex and inconsistent

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice flexibilityVSAvoidservice continuity determination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by creating a unified service continuity determination method that works for both LIPA and SIPTO service scenarios. The MME uses a common procedure involving APN identifier analysis and LHN ID comparison to determine service continuity, regardless of which service type is active. This eliminates the need for separate determination mechanisms for different service architectures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the determination parameters from service-type-specific logic to universal parameters: APN identifier and LHN ID. By comparing these parameters before and after handoff, the system can consistently determine service continuity for both LIPA and SIPTO services, simplifying the complexity while maintaining flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the network allows both CSG members and non-CSG members to activate SIPTO service, then service accessibility is improved, but service continuity management becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice accessibilityVSAvoidservice continuity management ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the network system to automatically determine service continuity based on APN and LHN ID parameters without requiring manual intervention or complex policy configurations for different user types. The MME autonomously compares parameters and makes continuity determination decisions, simplifying management for both CSG and non-CSG members.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the network re-activates SIPTO service after UE moves out of local network, then service continuity is improved, but network resource management becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice continuityVSAvoidnetwork resource management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies feedback by using APN identifier and LHN ID information from the handoff request message to determine whether to re-activate SIPTO service. The MME receives feedback about the target NodeB's capabilities and network configuration, then makes an informed decision about service re-activation, simplifying resource management while maintaining continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2868137B1Sipto service continuity
Publication Date: 2022.08.03 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2868137B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2868137B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2868137B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Examples of the present disclosure provide a method for determining access control, applied in a handoff procedure of a UE. The method includes: if a current service is a LIPA@LN service, and if the UE is in a same local network before and after the handoff, keeping, by a node performing access control determination, service continuity of the LIPA@LN service; if the UE moves out of the local network after the handoff, deactivating, by the node performing the access control determination, the LIPA@LN service; if the current service is a SIPTO@LN only service or a SIPTO@CN@LN service, if the UE is in the same local network before and after the handoff, keeping, by the node performing the access control determination, the service continuity of the SIPTO@LN only service or the SIPTO@CN@LN service; if the UE moves out of the local network after the handoff, determining, by the node performing the access control determination, whether to keep the service continuity of the SIPTO@LN only service or the SIPTO@CN@LN service according to a network policy. According to the technical solution provided by the present disclosure, service continuity of the LIPA service or the SIPTO service can be maintained correctly.