Systems and methods for efficient traffic offload without service disruption

• US 9,313,803 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2013
• Issued: 04/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel IP Corporation (Intel Corporation)
• Inventors: Stojanovski, Alexandre Saso, Venkatachalam, Muthaiah, Moses, Danny
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAN, SAI MING
• Application Number:
  US14/128,217
• Publication Number:
  US 20150223133A1
• Time in Patent Office: 929 Days
• Field of Search: 370/331
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0417 Feedback systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0456 Selection of precoding matrices or codebooks, e.g. using matrices antenna weighting
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/00 Time-division multiplex systems H04J14/00 takes precedence; relay systems H04B7/14; selecting techniques H04Q
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/18 Automatic repetition systems, e.g. Van Duuren systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1812 Hybrid protocols; Hybrid automatic repeat request [HARQ]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1887 Scheduling and prioritising arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/24 Key scheduling, i.e. generating round keys or sub-keys for block encryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/80 Wireless network architectures or network communication protocols for wireless network security H04W12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/08 Monitoring or testing based on specific metrics, e.g. QoS, energy consumption or environmental parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0035 Resource allocation in a cooperative multipoint environment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0051 of dedicated pilots, i.e. pilots destined for a single user or terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0055 Physical resource allocation for ACK/NACK for physical mapping arrangements in ARQ protocols H04L1/1861
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0057 Physical resource allocation for CQI
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0062 Avoidance of ingress interference, e.g. ham radio channels
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0076 Allocation utility-based
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0092 Indication of how the channel is divided
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0094 Indication of how sub-channels of the path are allocated
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0096 Indication of changes in allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/14 Two-way operation using the same type of signal, i.e. duplex
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/1469 using time-sharing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/22 : using time-division multiplexing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 : wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/30 : for supporting lawful interception, monitoring or retaining of communications or communication related information circuit switched telephony call monitoring H04M3/2281
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1104 : Session initiation protocol [SIP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/611 : for multicast or broadcast systems for broadcast or conference H04L12/18; arrangements for broadcast or distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/00; arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time H04H60/00; selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS], H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/65 : Network streaming protocols, e.g. real-time transport protocol [RTP] or real-time control protocol [RTCP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/762 : at the source reformatting of additional data in video distribution servers H04N21/2355
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/80 : Responding to QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 : based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/14 : using a plurality of keys or algorithms
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/02 : Protecting privacy or anonymity, e.g. protecting personally identifiable information [PII]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/0431 : Key distribution or pre-distribution; Key agreement
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/50 : Secure pairing of devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/32 : Hierarchical cell structures
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 : Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/10 : Scheduling measurement reports ; Arrangements for measurement reports
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0231 : based on communication conditions dynamic wireless traffic scheduling definition based on channel quality criteria H04W72/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0066 : of control information between different types of networks in order to establish a new radio link in the target network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0069 : in case of dual connectivity, e.g. decoupled uplink/downlink
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/00692 : using simultaneous multiple data streams, e.g. cooperative multipoint [CoMP], carrier aggregation [CA] or multiple input multiple output [MIMO] allocation of physical resources in CoMP or in CA H04L5/0035
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/22 : for handling the traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 : Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/08 : Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery signalling during connection H04W76/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/10 : using broadcasted information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 : Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/20 : Selecting an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0251 : using monitoring of local events, e.g. events related to user activity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/001 : Synchronization between nodes
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 68/02 : Arrangements for increasing efficiency of notification or paging channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/00 : Local resource management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/02 : Selection of wireless resources by user or terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0446 : Resources in time domain, e.g. slots or frames
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/046 : the resource being in the space domain, e.g. beams
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/12 : Wireless traffic scheduling
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/1263 : Mapping of traffic onto schedule, e.g. scheduled allocation or multiplexing of flows
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/20 : Control channels or signalling for resource management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/21 : in the uplink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/23 : in the downlink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/00 : Wireless channel access
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/11 : Allocation or use of connection identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/14 : Direct-mode setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/27 : Transitions between radio resource control [RRC] states
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/28 : Discontinuous transmission [DTX]; Discontinuous reception [DRX]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 : Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/045 : using private Base Stations, e.g. femto Base Stations, home Node B
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 : WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 : adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 : Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Methods, systems, and devices for offloading traffic flows without service disruption are disclosed herein. User equipment (UE) is configured to receive an indication that a current packet data network (PDN) connection can be optimized. The current PDN connection is established over a first PDN gateway (PGW). The UE requests connection over a new PDN connection to a same type of service as the current PDN connection without releasing the connection over the first PGW. The UE routes new traffic flows over a second PGW corresponding to the new PDN connection and routes old traffic flows over the first PGW.

Claims

1. User equipment (UE) comprising:

a capability component configured to send an indication that the UE is capable of soft selected internet protocol (IP) traffic offload (SIPTO), wherein soft SIPTO comprises maintaining, for a same communication service type, a plurality of packet data network (PDN) connections associated with a core network;

a connection component configured to, in response to an indication from an entity of the core network, establish a second PDN connection in addition to a first PDN connection for a same communication service type; and

a soft SIPTO component configured to, in response to establishing the second PDN connection, send old traffic over the first PDN connection and new traffic over the second PDN connection, wherein the first PDN connection and the second PDN connection correspond to the same communication service type.

2. The UE of claim 1, wherein the soft SIPTO component is further configured to receive non-access stratum (NAS) messaging indicating that an existing PDN connection is less optimal and wherein, in response to receiving the NAS messaging, the UE triggers the capability component to initiate an attempt to establish the second PDN connection for the same communication service type.

3. The UE of claim 1, wherein the UE is assigned a first IP address on the first PDN connection and assigned a second IP address on the second PDN connection.

4. The UE of claim 1, wherein the connection component establishes the second PDN by requesting connection to the same communication service type using the same access point name (APN).

5. The UE of claim 1, wherein the UE comprises one or more of:

one or more antennas;

a display screen; and

a physical input key.

6. A mobile communication device configured to:

receive an indication that a current packet data network (PDN) connection is not optimal, wherein the current PDN connection is established over a first communication node of a core network;

request a new PDN connection for the same communication service type without releasing the current PDN connection over the first communication node;

route old traffic flows over the first communication node corresponding to the current PDN connection; and

route new traffic flows over a second communication node of the core network, the second communication node being different from the first communication node, and the second communication node corresponding to the new PDN connection maintained contemporaneously with the current PDN connection.

7. The mobile communication device of claim 6, wherein requesting connection over the new PDN connection comprises requesting using a different access point name (APN) that corresponds to the same communication service type.

8. The mobile communication device of claim 6, further configured to release the current PDN connection over the first communication node in response to expiration of the old traffic flows.

9. The mobile communication device of claim 8, wherein expiration of the old traffic flows comprises at least one of an end of a file download, an end to a music stream, or an end to a video stream.

10. The mobile communication device of claim 8, wherein expiration of the old traffic flows comprises a transfer of the old traffic flows to the new PDN connection.

11. The mobile communication device of claim 10, wherein transfer of the old traffic flows comprises transferring the old traffic flows using session initiation protocol (SIP) mobility procedures.

12. A mobility management entity (MME) configured to:

receive an indication that user equipment (UE) is capable of soft selected internet protocol (IP) traffic offload;

in response to mobility of the UE with respect to nodes of a core network, determine that optimization of a current packet data network connection with the core network is possible;

provide an indication to the UE that improvement of the current packet data network connection is available; and

establish, for the UE, a new packet data network connection with the core network for the same communication service type for new traffic flows while maintaining the current packet data network connection for old traffic flows.

13. The MME of claim 12, wherein the new packet data network connection comprises a connection through a packet data network gateway (PGW) located proximally to an edge node of the core network.

14. The MME of claim 13, wherein the PGW is co-located with a serving gateway (SGW).

15. The MME of claim 13, wherein the PGW is co-located with an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) Node B (eNB).

16. The MME of claim 12, wherein the current packet data network connection comprises a connection over a first packet data network gateway (PGW) and the new packet data network connection for the same communication service type comprises a connection over a second PGW, wherein the current packet data network connection and the new packet data network connection are maintained contemporaneously.

17. The MME of claim 12, wherein the MME is located in a network that does not enforce an access point name (APN) aggregate maximum bit rate (APN-AMBR).

18. The MME of claim 12, wherein the MME is located in a network where an access point name (APN) aggregate maximum bit rate (APN-AMBR) is enforced at one of a serving gateway (SGW) and an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) Node B (eNB).

19. User equipment (UE) comprising circuitry configured to, in response to an indication from a node of an evolved packet core (EPC) network, request establishment of a new packet data network (PDN) connection for new traffic flows while maintaining an old packet data network connection for old traffic flows, wherein the new packet data network connection and the old packet data network connection both correspond to the same communication service type for communication over the EPC.

20. The UE of claim 19, further configured to transfer old active traffic flows to the new packet data network connection.