Patent ID: 8774198
Filing Date: 2014-07-08
Classification: H04L,H04M,H04W

Abstract:
1. A Packet Data Network Gateway (PDN-GW), the PDN-GW being configured to: receive from a user equipment (UE) information identifying a set of two or more access networks that are available for the UE to use concurrently, the set of two or more access networks including a first access network of a first type and a second access network of a second type that is different than the first type, transmit to a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) information identifying the set of two or more access network types that are available for the UE to use concurrently, receive, in reply from the PCRF, filter information indicating that the PCRF has a) allocated a first service flow to or from said UE with the first access network and b) allocated a second service flow to or from the UE with the second access network, use said filter information received from the PCRF to a) bind the first service flow to the first access network and b) bind the second service flow to the second access network, receive a downlink packet addressed to the UE, wherein the downlink packet is associated with a service flow and the filter information received from the PCRF includes a rule associated with the service flow with which the packet is associated, which rule binds the service flow with which the packet is associated to one of the two or more access networks; and in response to receiving the downlink packet: a) determine, based on information included in the packet, the service flow with which the packet is associated; b) obtain, from the filter information received from the PCRF, the rule associated with the determined service flow with which the packet is associated; c) determine, based on the obtained rule, the access network with which the determined service flow is bound; and d) transmit, via the determined access network, the received packet towards the UE.