TWAN APN Selection for Extended PDN Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

User equipment accessing an evolved packet core via a trusted wireless local area network is limited to default access point names, restricting network access.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that allow a trusted wireless local area network access network device to receive a trigger message from user equipment, obtain an access point name, and send a create session request message to a packet data network gateway, enabling the establishment of additional or non-default packet data network connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If user equipment accesses EPC by using TWAN with default APN only, then the access process is simple, but the network access range is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork access rangeVSAvoidconnection establishment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic APN selection by allowing user equipment to send trigger messages indicating desired APN types, and the TWAN device dynamically selects appropriate APNs based on subscription information and network availability, transforming the static default-APN-only approach into a flexible dynamic selection mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary action by obtaining subscription information from HSS/AAA in advance, which contains available APN lists, and caching this information locally in the TWAN device before connection establishment, enabling faster APN selection without real-time network queries

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple PDN connections with different APNs are established, then network access range is extended, but the connection establishment process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork access rangeVSAvoidconnection establishment ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by enabling user equipment to autonomously select desired APN types through trigger messages and automatically receive matching APN assignments from the TWAN device, eliminating manual configuration and reducing operational complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces the TWAN device as an intermediary that mediates between user equipment and the core network, handling APN selection logic, subscription information management, and connection establishment procedures, thereby simplifying the overall system operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2836025B1Connection establishment method and device for packet data network

Publication Date: 2017.08.23 HUAWEI DEVICE CO LTD

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AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and a device for establishing a packet data network PDN connection. A method includes: receiving, by a trusted wireless local area network access network TWAN device, a trigger message from a user equipment; obtaining, by the TWAN device, an access point name APN from the user equipment; sending, by the TWAN device, a create session request message carrying the APN to a PDN gateway; receiving, by the TWAN device, a create session response message carrying an IP address from the PDN gateway; and sending, by the TWAN device, the IP address to the user equipment. In this way, an additional PDN connection or a non-default PDN connection is established for a user equipment to extend a network access range of the user equipment.