Systems and methods for efficient traffic offload without service disruption

• US 9,788,201 B2
• Filed: 03/03/2016
• Issued: 10/10/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intel IP Corporation (Intel Corporation)
• Inventors: Stojanovski, Alexandre Saso, Venkatachalam, Muthaiah, Moses, Danny
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAN, SAI MING
• Application Number:
  US15/060,390
• Publication Number:
  US 20160183149A1
• Time in Patent Office: 586 Days
• Field of Search: 370230
• 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. Apparatus for user equipment (UE) to facilitate coordinated selected internet protocol (IP) traffic offload (CSIPTO) in an evolved packet core (EPC) network, the apparatus comprising circuitry configured to:

establish, through a radio access network (RAN), a first packet data network (PDN) connection between the UE and a first PDN gateway (PGW) in the EPC network for wireless communication of a first IP flow requiring IP address preservation; and

request, while maintaining the first PDN connection for the first IP flow, a second PDN connection between the UE and a second PGW in the EPC network for wireless communication of a second IP flow having a same communication service type as that of the first IP flow so as to cause a mobility management entity (MME) of the EPC network to invoke CSIPTO to establish, while preserving the IP address associated with the first IP flow, the second PDN connection to the second PGW that is geographically separated from the first PGW, in which the UE maintains the IP address as a first IP address associated with the first PDN connection and a second IP address associated with the second PDN connection.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising the circuitry configured to release the first PDN connection in response to expiration of the first IP flow.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising the circuitry configured to receive non-access stratum (NAS) messaging indicating that the first PDN connection is less optimal than the second PDN connection for the same communication service type.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising the circuitry configured to establish the second PDN connection by requesting the same communication service type and by using a same access point name (APN) as that of the first PDN connection.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising the circuitry configured to establish the second PDN connection by requesting the same communication service type and by using a different access point name (APN) as that of the first PDN connection.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the same communication service type comprises streaming or file download type services.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, in which the first IP flow is a long-lived IP traffic flow.

8. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed by a processor for user equipment (UE) configured to facilitate coordinated selected internet protocol (IP) traffic offload (CSIPTO) in an evolved packet core (EPC) network, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

establish, through a radio access network (RAN), a first packet data network (PDN) connection between the UE and a first PDN gateway (PGW) in the EPC network for wireless communication of a first IP flow requiring IP address preservation; and

request, while maintaining the first PDN connection for the first IP flow, a second PDN connection between the UE and a second PGW in the EPC network for wireless communication of a second IP flow having a same communication service type as that of the first IP flow so as to cause a mobility management entity (MME) of the EPC network to invoke CSIPTO establishing, while preserving the IP address associated with the first IP flow, the second PDN connection to the second PGW that is geographically separated from the first PGW, in which the UE maintains the IP address as a first IP address associated with the first PDN connection and a second IP address associated with the second PDN connection.

9. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, further comprising instructions to release the first PDN connection in response to expiration of the first IP flow.

10. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, further comprising instructions to receive non-access stratum (NAS) messaging indicating that the first PDN connection is less optimal than the second PDN connection for the same communication service type.

11. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, further comprising instructions to establish the second PDN connection by requesting the same communication service type and by using a same access point name (APN) as that of the first PDN connection.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, in which the first IP flow is a long-lived IP traffic flow.

13. Apparatus for a mobility management entity (MME) configured to:

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

in response to mobility of the UE within a radio access network (RAN) served by a core network including the MME, determining that optimization of an established packet data network (PDN) connection conveying an active IP flow via the core network is possible;

provide an indication to the UE that improvement of the established PDN connection is available; and

establish for the UE a new PDN connection for convening via the core network subsequent IP flows having a same communication service type as that of the active IP flow while maintaining the established PDN connection for the active IP flow.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, in which the MME establishes the new PDN connection in response to a request from the UE for a service of the same communication service type.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, in which the new PDN connection comprises a connection through a PDN gateway (PGW) located proximally to an edge of the RAN.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, in which the PGW is co-located with a serving gateway (SGW).

17. The apparatus of claim 15, in which the PGW is co-located with an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) Node B (eNB).

18. The apparatus of claim 13, in which the established PDN connection comprises a connection over a first PDN gateway (PGW) and the new PDN connection for the same communication service type comprises a connection over a second PGW.