Wireless Access Gateway IP Allocation for Seamless Roaming

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for integrating cellular and non-cellular networks face issues such as IP address conflicts and the need to tear down data paths when user equipment roams, leading to disruptions in IP address-sensitive applications.

Innovation Solution

A method and device for a wireless access gateway that allocates unique IP addresses from dedicated pools for each network, establishing GTP tunnels, and defining routing rules with data path identifiers to differentiate between networks and maintain continuous connectivity during roaming.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the WAG uses a single shared IP address pool for multiple non-cellular networks, then the device complexity is reduced, but IP address conflicts occur when multiple MNOs allocate the same IP address to different UEs

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveWAG configuration complexityVSAvoidIP address uniqueness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the IP address pool by creating dedicated IP address ranges for each MNO. The WAG maintains separate IP address pools for different non-cellular networks, ensuring that each MNO receives IP addresses from its own dedicated range. This segmentation eliminates IP address conflicts while maintaining manageable device complexity through structured organization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the WAG allocates IP addresses dynamically from a shared pool, then the ease of operation is improved, but IP address conflicts and routing ambiguities arise

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveIP address allocation simplicityVSAvoidIP address to MNO mapping

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism in the form of dedicated IP address ranges that act as mediators between MNOs and the WAG. Each MNO is assigned a specific IP address range, and the WAG uses these dedicated ranges to automatically identify which MNO a UE belongs to. This intermediary structure enables simple dynamic allocation while preserving the mapping information through the IP address range assignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the WAG tears down the data path when a UE roams to a different non-cellular network, then the reliability of the data path is maintained, but the duration of service continuity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata path integrityVSAvoidservice continuity during roaming

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring dedicated IP address ranges for each MNO before roaming occurs. When a UE roams to a different non-cellular network, the WAG can quickly allocate an IP address from the appropriate pre-configured pool and establish the data path without tearing it down. This preliminary preparation enables seamless roaming and maintains service continuity while preserving data path integrity through proper IP address management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10091160B2Wireless access gateway

Publication Date: 2018.10.02 BRITISH TELECOM PLC

AI summary

A wireless network including a wireless access gateway (WAG) and methods are provided for routing traffic between non-cellular and cellular networks. The WAG receives a first IP address for the UE in the cellular domain and the WAG allocates a second IP address for the UE in the non-cellular domain from a dedicated pool of IP addresses for that non-cellular domain. The WAG also creates a routing rule between the first and second IP addresses.