as) United States
`a2) Patent Application Publication 10) Pub. No.: US 2012/0020318 Al
`
` Naoeetal. (43) Pub. Date: Jan. 26, 2012
`
`
`US 20120020318A1
`
`(54) MOBILE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(76)
`
`Inventors:
`
`Hirokazu Naoe, Osaka (JP);
`Masafumi Aramoto, Osaka (JP)
`
`(22) PCT Filed:
`
`Mar. 26, 2010
`
`(86) PCT No::
`
`PCT/JP2010/002185
`
`§ 371 (c)(),
`(2), (4) Date:
`
`Sep. 22, 2011
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Mar. 27, 2009
`
`(IP) oeseseeseessssesesenesenens 2009-079962
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2009.01)
`HOAW 72/04
`(2009.01)
`HO4W 76/00
`(52) US. CD. veces creseneeeseceneees 370/329; 370/338
`
`A core network includes a PDN connection holding unit that
`associates and stores information regarding PDN connection
`with information indicating an address block configured as a
`set of a plurality of addresses identifying a plurality of the
`information terminal devices. Therefore, it is possible to sup-
`press an increase in the processing load and a limitation of
`providable services, even in the case in which an ad-hoc
`network is formed between a mobile terminal device and a
`plurality of terminal equipments and a PDN connection is
`made by the terminal equipments using the mobile terminal
`device as an MT.
`
`
`CONNECTION REQUEST UNIT A
`
`
`REQUEST UNIT TE CONNECTION
`REGUEST URTT
`ATTACH
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`04
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`ADDRESS BLOCK
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`ADDRESS
`ALLOCATION UNIT
`
`1
`
`APPLE 1009
`
`1
`
`APPLE 1009
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. 26,2012 Sheet 1 of 17
`
`US 2012/0020318 Al
`
`FIG. |
`
`50
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`EXTERNAL PDN
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`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. 26,2012 Sheet 2 of 17
`
`US 2012/0020318 Al
`
`f
`
`|
`
`|
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`
`FIG. 2
`
`211
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`INTERFACE UNIT
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`3
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. 26,2012 Sheet 3 of 17
`
`US 2012/0020318 Al
`
`FIG. 4
`
`f°
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`|
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`221
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`INTERFACE UNIT
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. 26, 2012 Sheet 4 of 17
`
`US 2012/0020318 A1
`
`FIG. 6
`
`WIRELESS
`.
`| COMMUNIGATION UNIT [™
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`FIG. 7
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`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. 26,2012 Sheet 5 of 17
`
`US 2012/0020318 Al
`
`FIG. &
`
`f-
`
`GUNTROL UNIT
`
`GOMMURIGATION UNTT
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`HE CONNECTION
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`6
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. 26, 2012 Sheet 6 of 17
`
`US 2012/0020318 A1
`
`
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Jan. 26, 2012 Sheet 7 of 17
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`US 2012/0020318 A1
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`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. 26,2012 Sheet 8 of 17
`
`US 2012/0020318 Al
`
`FIG. 11
`
`START
`
`Sal
`
`RECEIVE PACKET
`FROM EXTERNAL PON
`
`oad
`:
`VERIFY PACKET ADDRESSEE
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`OF THE PON CONNECTION 2
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`OF THE PDN CONNECTION 7
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`SELEGE DEFAULT EPS BEARER 2 |
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`sag
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`USE SELECTED EPS BEARER
`TO TRANSFER PACKET TO S-GH
`
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`DISCARD PACKET
`
`END
`
`9
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. 26,2012 Sheet 9 of 17
`
`US 2012/0020318 Al
`
`FIG, 12
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`CONNECTION REQUEST UNIT 4024 sel
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`Jan. 26, 2012 Sheet 10 of 17
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`US 2012/0020318 A1
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Jan. 26,2012 Sheet11o0f17
`
`US 2012/0020318 Al
`
`FIG. 14
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`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jan. 26,2012 Sheet 120f17
`
`US 2012/0020318 Al
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`FIG. 15
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`Jan. 26, 2012 Sheet 13 of 17
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`US 2012/0020318 A1
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Jan. 26,2012 Sheet 140f17
`
`US 2012/0020318 Al
`
`FIG, 17
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`ADDRESS BLOCK
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Jan. 26, 2012 Sheet 15 of 17
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`US 2012/0020318 A1
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`Jan. 26,2012 Sheet 160f17
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`US 2012/0020318 Al
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`FIG, 20
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Jan. 26, 2012 Sheet 17 of 17
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`US 2012/0020318 A1
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`

`US 2012/0020318 Al
`
`Jan. 26, 2012
`
`MOBILE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`[0001] The present invention relates to a mobile communi-
`cation system, and particularly to a mobile communication
`system connected to an external packet data network.
`[0002] The present application claimspriority based on the
`patent application 2009-079962, filed on Mar. 27, 2009 in
`Japan, the content of which is incorporated herein by refer-
`ence.
`
`1: TS 27.060 Packet
`[0010] Non-Patent Document
`Domain; Mobile Station (MS) Supporting Packet
`Switched Services
`
`[0011] Non-Patent Document2: TS 23.401 General Packet
`Radio Service (GPRS) Enhancements for Evolved Univer-
`sal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN)Access
`
`DISCLOSUREOF INVENTION
`
`Problem to be Solved by the Invention
`
`[0012] However, whena user is walking around carrying a
`plurality of TEs such as a PDAor a laptop personal computer
`BACKGROUND ART
`that does nothave a wireless interfacefor direct connection to
`an EPS andamobile terminal device that alone can connectto
`[0003]
`In the UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunica-
`an EPSas a UE, an ad-hoc network being formedthat locally
`tions System)that has been standardized asa third-generation
`makes connection between these devices, and the TE being
`mobile communication system, an MT (Mobile Terminal) is
`connected to the ad-hoc network uses the mobile terminal
`established as a mobile terminal that has a UMTSwireless
`device as an MT to make connection to the PDN,there is a
`problem that the processing load increases as noted below,
`and thereis a limitation on the service that can be provided.
`[0013] Conventionally, PDN connections have been estab-
`lished for each TE. Therefore, even in the case in which a
`plurality of TEs are connected to one and the same PDN and
`also to one and the same PDN-GW,as many procedures for
`establishing PDN connectionsare necessary as there are TEs.
`The mobile terminal device itself to which the TE is con-
`nected is also connected to the EPS and establishes a PDN
`connection for the mobile terminal device in order to benefit
`from the communication service. However, with regard to any
`of these PDN connections, even though they are established
`from a common mobile terminal device as the pointoforigin,
`because they could not be combined, there was the problem of
`an increase in the processing load, because of the increase in
`the overall system administrative information. Additionally,
`at the time of handoveras well, it is necessary to perform the
`protocolfor re-establishing the PDN connections for all PDN
`connections, thereby causing an increase in the overall sys-
`tem processing load.
`[0014] A method that can be envisionedso that the number
`of PDN connections does not increase is that of providing an
`NAT (Network Address Translator)
`in the above-noted
`mobile terminal device, and sharing one IP address allocated
`to the mobile terminal device and one PDN connection
`between the mobile terminal device and a plurality of TEs. In
`this case, however, not only does the installation into the
`mobile terminal device becomes complex, but also process-
`ing for the mobile terminal device to check all the packets
`transmitted and received by the TE becomesnecessary and, if
`necessary, to rewrite the packet header and payload, thereby
`increasing the processing load on the mobile terminal device.
`This results in the problems of a reduced throughput and an
`increase in battery consumption of the mobile terminal
`device. Additionally, because a packet transmitted by the
`mobile terminal device itself and a packet that the TE trans-
`mits cannotbe distinguished when seen from the viewpoint of
`the core network,the limitation occurs that, in spite ofthe fact
`that it is the origin of a packet transmission, the same QoS
`class and charging rule must be applied, this leading to the
`problem ofhindering the implementation of a diverse service
`model
`in which different charging models are applied,
`depending upon the modeofuse.
`[0015] The present invention was made in consideration of
`the above-described situation and has as an object the provi-
`sion of a mobile communication system capable of suppress-
`
`interface and a TE (Terminal Equipment)is established as a
`terminal equipmentthat connects to the MT. The MT and TE
`are collectively called UE (User Equipment).
`[0004] A TE-MTinterface is set forth in the Non-Patent
`Document1 (TS 27.060), wherein a communication protocol
`is indicated in which a TE such as a laptop PC (personal
`computer) that does not have a UMTSwireless interface
`connects to a PDN (Packet Data Network) that is an external
`network, via the UMTSwirelessinterface in an MT. Although
`the physical interface between the TE and MT can use not
`only a wired interface such as a serial cable or a USB (Uni-
`versal Serial Bus) cable, but also can use a wireless interface
`such as Bluetooth (registered trademark)or the like, the use of
`the PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol) is called for.
`[0005]
`Patent Document 1 discloses a method whereby,
`rather than a TE-MTinterface, an Ethernet (registered trade-
`mark) and DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) are
`used to allocate an IP (Internet Protocol) address to the TE
`and make connection to the PDN. Additionally, it is assumed
`thatit will be possible to use this TE-MTinterface in the EPS
`(Evolved Packet System), which is standardized as the next-
`generation mobile communication system by the 3GPP (3rd
`Generation Partnership Project).
`[0006] The protocol for connecting a UE to the PDN in an
`EPSis set forth in the Non-Patent Document 2 (TS 23.401).
`The UE,after first being attached to the wireless access net-
`work,establishes a logical path connection to the PDN, which
`is known as a PDN connection.
`
`[0007] The PDN is uniquely identified by the APN (Access
`Point Name), and is connected to the core network via a
`PDN-GW,whichis an external gateway equipment. The PDN
`connectionis established individually for each PDN-GWthat
`is connected to the UE. Even via one and the same PDN-GW,
`when connections are made to different PDNs, independent
`PDN connections are required.
`[0008] OnePDN connection combinesa plurality oflogical
`paths that is known as an EPSbearer whentransferring a user
`IP packet, andit is further possible to assign a QoS (Quality of
`Service) class and a charging rule or the like to each EPS
`bearer. Therefore, using the UE packet transmission destina-
`tion and transport protocol, it is possible to apply different
`QoS classes and charging rules to each IP packet, using a port
`number.
`
`Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent
`[0009]
`Application Publication (Translation of PCT Application)
`No. 2008-511222
`
`19
`
`19
`
`

`

`US 2012/0020318 Al
`
`Jan. 26, 2012
`
`ing an increase in the processing load anda limitation of
`providable services, even in the case in which an ad-hoc
`network is formed between a mobile terminal device and a
`plurality of TEs and a PDN connection is made by the TE
`using the mobile terminal device as an MT.
`
`Meansfor Solving the Problem
`
`via the wireless access network, may includein the request a
`request for setting of the information terminal PDN connec-
`tion.
`
`(5) In the aspect of the present invention, the con-
`[0020]
`nection request unit of the mobile terminal device, when
`requesting the core network to set a PDN connection for a
`mobile terminal that is a logic path used for transfer of user
`data of the mobile terminal device between an external net-
`(1) In an aspect of the present invention, there is
`[0016]
`work and thereof, via the wireless access network, may
`provided a mobile communication system including a mobile
`include in the request a flag indicating that the mobile termi-
`terminal device performing a communication connection
`nal device includesthe router function unit, and wherein, the
`with a plurality of information terminal devices, a wireless
`core network mayincludeasetting enabled/disabled unitthat,
`access network performing wireless communication with the
`when a request to set the information terminal PDN connec-
`mobile terminal device, and a core network performing com-
`tion is received, judges, based on the flag, whether the infor-
`munication with an external packet data network, and also
`mation terminal PDN connection can betset.
`performing communication with the mobile terminal device
`via the wireless access network, wherein: the core network
`includes a PDN connection holding unit that associates and
`stores information regarding PDN connectionthatis a logical
`path used for transfer of user data via the wireless access
`network between the external packet data network and the
`mobile terminal device with information indicating an
`address block configured as a set of a plurality of addresses
`identifying a plurality of the information terminal devices.
`[0017]
`(2) In the aspectof the present invention, the mobile
`terminal device may include: a connection request unit that
`requests the core network to set an information terminal PDN
`connection that is a PDN connection to be usedfor transfer of
`user data ofthe information terminaldevices and that receives
`from the core network information indicating the address
`block assigned to the information terminal PDN connection
`set by the request; an address allocation unit that allocates an
`address belonging to an address block indicated by informa-
`tion received by the connection request unit to the informa-
`tion terminal devices; a router function unit that, when user
`data addressed to an address allocated to the information
`terminal devices is received, transfers the received user data
`to the information terminal devices to which the address is
`
`(6) In the aspectofthe present invention, the mobile
`[0021]
`terminal device may include an address block storage unit
`that stores information indicating the address block, and
`wherein the address allocation unit of the mobile terminal
`
`device, when the information terminal devices performs com-
`munication connection with the mobile terminal device, may
`allocate to the information terminal device an address that
`
`belongs to the address block stored by the address block
`storage unit.
`[0022]
`(7) In the aspect of the present invention, the core
`network may include a terminal information storage unit that
`stores information indicating an address block allocated to
`the information terminal PDN connection in association with
`information that
`identifies the mobile terminal device,
`wherein the PDN connectionsetting unit of the core network,
`upon receiving a request for an information terminal PDN
`connection setting, may allocate the address block stored by
`the terminal information storage unit, in association with
`information identifying the mobile terminaldevicethatorigi-
`nated the request.
`[0023]
`(8) In the aspect of the present invention, the core
`network may include a terminal information storage unit that
`stores information indicating whether a user of a mobile
`terminal device is subscribed to a network mobile service, in
`association with information identifying the mobile terminal
`device, whereinthe setting enabled/disabledjudgmentunit of
`the core network, upon receiving a request for setting of an
`information terminal PDN connection, may determine
`whetheran information terminal PDN connection can beset,
`based on the flag in the request, and on information stored by
`the terminal information storage unit.
`[0024]
`(9) In the aspect of the present invention, the core
`network may include a terminal information storage unit that
`stores information indicating whether or not a user of the
`mobile terminalis subscribed to a network mobile service,in
`association with information identifying the mobile terminal
`device, whereinthe setting enabled/disabledjudgmentunit of
`the core network, upon receiving a request for setting of a
`mobile terminal PDN connection, may determine whether a
`mobile terminal PDN connection can beset, based onthe flag
`in the request, and on information stored by the terminal
`information storage unit.
`the
`[0025]
`(10) In the aspect of the present invention,
`mobile terminal device may include a dynamic hostsetting
`client unit
`that, using a dynamic host setting protocol,
`requests an address block from the core network, and receive
`from the core network information indicating the address
`block allocated to the information terminal PDN connection
`
`by the request, wherein the core network may include a
`
`20
`
`allocated; wherein the core network may include a PDN
`connection setting unit that, when a request is received from
`the mobile terminal device, allocates the address block to the
`PDNconnection for the information terminal and associates
`
`and stores in the PDN connection holding unit information
`indicating the address block with information regarding the
`PDN connection for the information terminal, and transmits
`information indicating the allocated address block to the
`mobile terminal device.
`
`(3) In the aspect of the present invention, the con-
`[0018]
`nection request unit of the mobile terminal device, when
`requesting the setting of the information terminal PDN con-
`nection, may specify an address block class that is a type of
`the address block allocated the information terminal PDN
`
`connection and that specifies one of an address block indi-
`cated by the IPv4 network address, an address block indicated
`by the IPV6 prefix, or an address block indicated by the IPv4
`network address and by the IPv6prefix, and wherein the PDN
`connection setting unit of the core network, whensetting the
`information terminal PDN connection, mayallocateto the set
`information terminal PDN connection the type of address
`block specified by the address block class.
`[0019]
`(4) In the aspect of the present invention, the con-
`nection request unit of the mobile terminal device, when
`requesting the core network to set a PDN connection for a
`mobile terminalthat is a logic path used for transfer of user
`data of the mobile terminal device with an external network,
`
`20
`
`

`

`US 2012/0020318 Al
`
`Jan. 26, 2012
`
`dynamic host setting server unit that, upon receiving the
`request for the address block using the dynamic hostsetting
`protocol, allocate an address block to the information termi-
`nal PDN connection of the mobile terminal device that origi-
`nated the request, and transmit the address block to the mobile
`terminal device.
`
`the
`(11) In the aspect of the present invention,
`[0026]
`mobile terminal device may include: a connection request
`unit that requests the core network to set an information
`terminal PDN connection that is a logical path used for trans-
`fer of user data of the information terminal device with the
`
`external PDN,andreceives as a responseto the request infor-
`mation indicating an address allocated to the information
`terminal PDN connectionset by the request; an address allo-
`cation unit that allocates an address received by the connec-
`tion request unit to the information terminal device; and a
`router function unit that, upon receiving user data addressed
`to the address allocated to the information terminal device,
`transfers the received userdata to the information terminalto
`which the address had been allocated, wherein the core net-
`work, upon receiving a request from the mobile terminal
`device, may associate an address belonging to the address
`block allocated to the mobile terminal PDN connection used
`in transfer of user data of the mobile terminal device with
`information regarding the information terminal PDN connec-
`tion for which setting was requested, store these in the PDN
`connection holding unit, and transmit the allocated address to
`the mobile terminal device.
`
`Effect of the Invention
`
`FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example
`[0037]
`of connection of the TE device 41a and the TE device 414 to
`the mobile terminal device 40 in the same embodiment.
`[0038]
`FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the packet transfer
`processing of the PDN-GW device 21 in the same embodi-
`ment.
`
`FIG. 12 is a simplified block diagram showing the
`[0039]
`configuration of a mobile terminal device 40a in a second
`embodimentof the present invention.
`[0040]
`FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing an example
`ofthe sequenceofattaching the mobile terminal device 40a to
`an EPS in the same embodiment.
`[0041]
`FIG. 14 is a simplified block diagram showing the
`configuration of a PDN-GW device 216 in a third embodi-
`mentof the present invention.
`[0042]
`FIG. 15 is a simplified block diagram showing the
`configuration of a mobile terminal device 405 in the same
`embodiment.
`
`FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram showing an example
`[0043]
`of the sequence of connection of the mobile terminal device
`406 in the same embodiment.
`
`FIG. 17 is a simplified block diagram showing the
`[0044]
`configuration of a PDN-GW device 21c in a fourth embodi-
`mentof the present invention.
`[0045]
`FIG. 18 is a simplified block diagram showing the
`configuration of a mobile terminal device 40c in the same
`embodiment.
`
`FIG. 19 is a sequence diagram showing an example
`[0046]
`of the sequence of the connection for the TE devices 41a and
`415 performing communication with an external PDN 50 in
`the same embodiment.
`
`[0027] According to the present invention, PDN connec-
`FIG. 20 is a simplified block diagram showing the
`[0047]
`tions for a plurality of terminal devices connected to a com-
`configuration ofan MMEdevice 22d inafifth embodiment of
`mon mobile terminal device can be combined, and addition-
`the present invention.
`ally the establishment of the PDN connection for the mobile
`[0048]
`FIG. 21 is a simplified block diagram showing the
`terminal device and the establishment of the PDN connection
`configuration of a mobile terminal device 40e in a sixth
`for the mobile terminal device can be performed together,
`embodimentof the present invention.
`thereby enabling suppression of an increase in processing
`[0049]
`FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of the
`load and limitation of the providable service.
`sequence for establishing a TE PDN 21 connection in the
`same embodiment.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram showing the
`[0028]
`network configuration of a mobile communication system
`accordingto a first embodimentofthe present invention.
`[0029]
`FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram showing the
`configuration of a PDN-GW device 21 in the same embodi-
`ment.
`
`FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram showing the
`[0030]
`configuration of an S-GW device 23 in the same embodiment.
`[0031]
`FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram showing the
`configuration of an MMEdevice 22 in the same embodiment.
`[0032]
`FIG. 5 is a simplified block diagram showing the
`configuration of an HSS device 24 in the same embodiment.
`[0033]
`FIG. 6 is a simplified block diagram showing the
`configuration of an ENB device 31 in the same embodiment.
`[0034]
`FIG. 7 is a simplified block diagram showing the
`configuration of a mobile terminal device 40 in the same
`embodiment.
`
`FIG. 8 is a simplified block diagram showing the
`[0035]
`configuration of a TE device 41a in the same embodiment.
`[0036] FIG.9isasequence diagram showing an example of
`the sequenceof attaching the mobile terminal device 40 to an
`EPSin the same embodiment.
`
`BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE
`INVENTION
`
`First Embodiment
`
`[0050] The first embodiment of the present invention is
`described below, with references made to drawings. FIG. 1 is
`a simplified block diagram showing the network configura-
`tion of a mobile communication system accordingtothefirst
`embodimentofthe present invention. The mobile communi-
`cation system 10 in this embodimentis connected to an exter-
`nal PDN (Packet Data Network) 50, and has a core network
`20, a wireless access network 30, and at least one mobile
`terminal device 40. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the
`mobile terminal device 10 has TE devices 41a and 416 that
`
`are connected to the mobile terminal device 40. Althoughthis
`embodimentis described for the example of an EPS as the
`mobile communication system that is standardized by 3GPP,
`the present invention is not limited in this manner, and can be
`applied in the same mannerto a mobile communication sys-
`tem that has a node configuration.
`[0051] The core network 20 has a PDN-GW device 21, an
`MME (Mobile Management Entity) device 22, an S-GW
`device 23, and an HSS (Home Subscriber Server) device 24.
`
`21
`
`21
`
`

`

`US 2012/0020318 Al
`
`Jan. 26, 2012
`
`The S-GW device 23 transmits and receives, as a local mobil-
`ity anchor, packets from the ENB (eNodeB: base station
`device) 31 to which the mobile terminal device 40 is con-
`nected.
`
`ThePDN-GWdevice 21 is connectedto the external
`[0052]
`PDN 50, which is the Internet or an IMS (IP Multimedia
`Subsystem), and functions as a gatewaythat connects the core
`network 20 to these types ofexternal PDNs 50. The PDN-GW
`device 21 allocates an IP address and performs sorting by
`packet QoS. The PDN-GW device 21 and the S-GW device
`23 may be constituted on one and the samephysical node.
`[0053] The MME (Mobility Management Entity) 22 is an
`entity that performs only signaling, and hasas its main func-
`tion management, including paging of mobility ofthe mobile
`terminal device 40 that connects to the wireless access net-
`work 30.
`
`[0054] The HSS device 24 performs user authentication
`and managessubscription data. Subscription data includes a
`subscriber’s service subscription information, and whether
`the subscriber is subscribed to NEMO (Network Mobility)
`service. The wireless access network 30 has at least one ENB
`device 31, whichis a base station.
`[0055] The mobile terminal device 40 is a device that has
`the functions of both an MT and a UE in UMTS. The TE
`devices 41a and 416 are TEs in UMTS.
`
`[0056] GTP (General Packet Radio Service Tunneling Pro-
`tocol) or GRE (Generic Routing Encapsulation) is used as the
`packet tunneling protocol between the S-GW device 23 and
`the PDN-GWdevice 21. With GTP, exchangeis performed of
`the TEIDs (Tunnel Endpoint IDs) between two nodes and two
`TEIDsare set individually for each direction. Because differ-
`ent TEIDs are allocated for each EPS bearer, the GTP end-
`point node (S-GW device 23 or PDN-GW device 21) refer-
`ences the TEM included in the packet header to be able to
`uniquely distinguish between the mobile terminal device 40
`and its EPS bearer. Similar to GTP, GRE performs exchange
`of GRE keys, which correspond to the TEIDs in GTP,
`between two nodes, and sets two GRE keys (downlink GRE
`key and uplink GRE key) individually for each direction.
`[0057]
`FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram showing the
`configuration of the PDN-GW 21 in the present embodiment.
`The PDN-GW21 has an address block holding unit 211, a
`PDN connection setting unit 212, an S-GW connection inter-
`face unit 213, a PDN connection holding unit 214, a user data
`transfer unit 215, and a PDN connection interface unit 216.
`[0058] The S-GW connection interface unit 213 is a com-
`munication interface unit for performing communication
`connection with the S-GW device 23. Each unit of the PDW-
`
`GW device 21 performs communication with the S-GW
`device 23, via this S-GW connection interface unit 213. The
`PDNconnectioninterface unit 216 is a communication inter-
`
`face unit for performing communication with the external
`PDN 50. Each unit of the PDN-GW device 21 performs
`communication with the external PDN 50, via this PDN con-
`nection interface unit 216.
`
`[0059] The address block holding unit 211 holds informa-
`tion indicating an address block that can be allocated to the
`PDN connection by the PDN connection setting unit 212,
`whichis describedlater. An address block as used herein is a
`set of a plurality of addresses, andin the present embodiment
`is a network address in IPv4 (for example, 192.63.25.0/24 of
`192.63.25.0 to 192.63.25.255) and an IPV6 prefix in IPv6 (for
`example, 1392:d38c::/32 of 1392:d38c:: to 1392:d38c:ffff:
`ffff::).
`
`[0060] The PDN connection holding unit 214 stores infor-
`mation regarding a PDN connection, associating it with infor-
`mation that indicates an address block. The PDN connection
`
`in this case is a logical path used for transfer of user data, via
`the wireless access network 30, between the external PDN 50
`and the mobile terminal device 40. There are two types of
`PDNconnections, a PDN connection for UE (PDN connec-
`tion for a mobile terminal) for transferring user data of the
`mobile terminal device 40, and a PDN connection for a TE
`(PDN connection for an information terminal) for transfer-
`ring user data of the information terminals 41a and 416.
`[0061] The PDN connection setting unit 212, upon receiv-
`ing arequest from the mobile terminal device 40, allocates an
`address block to a TE PDN connection or a UE PDN connec-
`
`tion, associates information that indicates the address block
`with information