UE Route Selection Policy Transfer Across 5GS-EPS Interworking
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the current 5G system, when a UE moves from the 5GS to the EPS supporting EPS/5GS interworking, the 5G core network fails to provide a new UE policy, and any changes in UE policy after the move are not effectively communicated to the UE, leading to potential resource waste and incorrect network access.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus are introduced where a first network entity, such as SMF and PGW-C, acquires a UE route selection policy indicator from the UE and transmits a session management policy control update request to a second network entity, PCF, to establish a UE policy association and receive updated URSP information, ensuring seamless policy transfer across network transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UE moves from 5GS to EPS, then the UE can access the EPS network, but the 5G core network fails to provide updated UE policy to the UE
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the SMF+PGW-C as an intermediary entity that bridges the 5G core network and EPS network. This combined entity acts as a mediator to transfer UE policy information from the 5G core network to the UE even when the UE is connected to EPS, solving the information loss problem during network transitions
Solution Approach 2:
The SMF+PGW-C entity performs multiple functions: it serves as both the Session Management Function in 5G and the Packet Data Network Gateway Control Plane in EPS. This multi-functionality enables it to maintain UE policy provisioning capabilities across both network types, ensuring continuous policy delivery regardless of which network the UE is accessing
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the UE remains connected to EPS, then the UE maintains network connectivity, but policy changes in the 5G core network are not communicated to the UE
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous UE policy provisioning through the SMF+PGW-C entity. Even when the UE is stationary on the EPS network, the policy provisioning action continues uninterrupted as the SMF+PGW-C maintains the ability to deliver policy updates from the 5G core network to the UE throughout the entire connection duration
3Loss of information
If the UE reconnections to 5GS to receive policy updates, then the UE receives updated policies, but this causes resource waste and increases network signaling
Solution Approach 1:
The SMF+PGW-C acts as an intermediary that eliminates the need for UE to reconnect to 5GS. It receives policy information from the 5G core network and forwards it to the UE while the UE remains connected to EPS, avoiding the energy waste and signaling overhead of repeated reconnections
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary setup of the SMF+PGW-C entity to handle policy provisioning before any policy updates are needed. This preliminary configuration enables the entity to immediately deliver policy updates without requiring UE reconnection, preventing future resource waste
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a 5G or 6G communication system for supporting a higher data transmission rate. Provided is a method performed by a first network entity that performs a session management function (SMF) and a packet data network gateway-control plane function (PGW-C) of a mobile communication system. The method comprises the steps of acquiring, from a user equipment (UE), an indicator indicating a UE route selection policy (URSP) provisioning support in an evolved packet system (EPS);transmitting, based on the indicator, a session management (SM) policy control update request message to a second network entity that performs a policy control function (PCF) related to a session; and receiving, from the second network entity, an SM policy control update response message including URSP information generated by a third network entity that performs a PCF related to the UE.