Method and apparatus for providing next generation network service in heterogeneous network environment

• US 10,499,445 B2
• Filed: 11/09/2018
• Issued: 12/03/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SK Telecom Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: SK Telecom Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Jeong, Sangsoo, Choi, Chang-soon
• Primary Examiner(s): Gelin, Jean A
• Application Number:
  US16/186,010
• Publication Number:
  US 20190082486A1
• Time in Patent Office: 389 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/18 Automatic repetition systems, e.g. Van Duuren systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/40 Support for services or applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/141 Setup of application sessions admission control or resource allocation in data switching networks H04L47/70
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/085 specially adapted for interworking of IP-based networks with other networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/16 Involving different core network technologies, e.g. a packet-switched [PS] bearer in combination with a circuit-switched [CS] bearer
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/10 adapted for operation in multiple networks, e.g. multi-mode access points
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements

Abstract

A method and an apparatus are disclosed for providing a next-generation network service in a heterogeneous network environment. The present disclosure in some embodiments provides a method and an apparatus, which can operate a conventional network and a next-generation network in an interworking arrangement with high reliability, and can process high-speed data communications by using the next-generation network.

Claims

1. A method for supporting dual connectivity by a base station control apparatus in a mobile communication system including a plurality of heterogeneous networks, the method comprising:

receiving, by the base station control apparatus, a network connection establishment message including information on support of dual connectivity from a terminal;

deciding, by the base station control apparatus, whether to approve or disapprove dual connectivity by the terminal by using information on the terminal and the received information on support of dual connectivity;

selecting, by the base station control apparatus, one gateway for supporting the terminal based on the result determined in the deciding; and

transmitting, by the base station control apparatus, a network connection establishment request message to the selected gateway,

wherein the base station control apparatus determines each maximum data transfer rate for the plurality of heterogeneous networks and transmits the each maximum data transfer rate to the selected gateway.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the information on support of dual connectivity includes information on whether the terminal supports dual connectivity, whether the terminal requests utilization of dual connectivity, or whether the terminal belongs to a service area for using dual connectivity.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the deciding comprises:

approving support of dual connectivity by the terminal, when the terminal supports dual connectivity, the terminal requests support of dual connectivity, and the terminal belongs to the service area for using dual connectivity.

4. A method of supporting dual connectivity by a base station in a mobile communication system including a plurality of heterogeneous networks, the method comprising:

receiving, by the base station, a network connection establishment message, including information on support of dual connectivity from a terminal;

determining whether or not the base station supports dual connectivity upon receiving the connection establishment message; and

transmitting a connection establishment message including the information on support of dual connectivity of the terminal,

wherein the base station determines each maximum data transfer rate for the plurality of heterogeneous networks and transmits the each maximum data transfer rate to a selected gateway.