Method and apparatus for resource management in handover operation

1. A method for resource management using a packet data network gateway (PDN GW) during a handover operation from a first access network to a second access network, the method comprising:

sending a policy update message from the PDN GW to a policy and charging rules function (PCRF) over an interface comprising at least one of the following: an S2a interface, an S2c interface and an S5 interface;

receiving, at the PDN GW, a policy update confirmation message from the PCRF over the interface;

establishing, via the PDN GW, connectivity between user equipment (UE) and the PDN GW for uplink and downlink transmission over the second access network; and

releasing, via the PDN GW, resources associated with the first access network; wherein the first access network comprises either a third generation partnership project (3GPP) access network or a trusted non-3GPP Internet Protocol (IP) access network, and the second access network comprises either a third generation partnership project (3GPP) access network or a trusted non-3GPP Internet Protocol (IP) access network.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the policy update message includes information relating to a gateway (GW) in the second access network.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the first access network is a third generation partnership project (3GPP) access network and the second access network is a trusted non-3GPP Internet protocol (IP) access network.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the first access network is a trusted non-third generation partnership project (3GPP) Internet protocol (IP) access network and the second access network is a long term evolution (LTE) evolved universal terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN).

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the connectivity comprises IP connectivity.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising establishing a PMIPv6 tunnel between the PDN GW and the second network.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

sending a general packet radio service (GPRS) tunneling protocol (GTP) and radio access bearer (RAB) release message; and

receiving a GTP and RAB release acknowledgment (ACK).

8. A base station, comprising:

a receiver;

a transmitter; and

a processor in communication with the receiver and the transmitter, the processor configured to send a policy update message from a packet data network gateway (PDN GW) to a policy and charging rules function (PCRF) over an interface comprising at least one of the following: an S2a interface, an S2c interface, and an S5 interface, receive a policy update confirmation message from the PCRF over the interface, establish connectivity between user equipment (UE) and the base station for uplink and downlink transmission over a second access network; and release resources associated with a first access network; wherein the first access network comprises either a third generation partnership project (3GPP) access network or a trusted non-3GPP Internet Protocol (IP) access network, and the second access network comprises either a third generation partnership project (3GPP) access network or a trusted non-3GPP Internet Protocol (IP) access network.

9. The base station of claim 8 wherein the policy update message includes information relating to a gateway (GW) in the second access network.

10. The base station of claim 8 wherein the first access network is a third generation partnership project (3GPP) access network and the second access network is a trusted non-3GPP Internet protocol (IP) access network.

11. The base station of claim 8 wherein the first access network is a trusted non-third generation partnership project (3GPP) Internet protocol (IP) access network and the second access network is a long term evolution (LTE) evolved universal terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN).

12. The base station of claim 8 wherein the connectivity comprises IP connectivity.

13. The base station of claim 8 wherein at least one of the following: the receiver, the transmitter, and the processor is further configured to establish PMIPv6 tunnel between the PDN GW and the second access network.

14. The base station of claim 8 wherein at least one of the following: the receiver, the transmitter, and the processor is further configured to:

send a general packet radio service (GPRS) tunneling protocol (GTP) and radio access bearer (RAB) release message; and

receive a GTP and RAB release acknowledgment (ACK).

15. A method for resource management using a packet data network gateway (PDN GW) during a handover operation from a third generation partnership project (3GPP) access network to a trusted non-3GPP Internet protocol (IP) access network, the method comprising:

sending a policy update message from the PDN GW to a policy and charging rules function (PCRF) over an S5 interface;

receiving, at the PDN GW, a policy update confirmation message from the PCRF over the S5 interface;

establishing, via the PDN GW, IP connectivity between user equipment (UE) and the PDN GW for uplink and downlink transmission over the trusted non-3GPP IP access network; and

releasing, via the PDN GW, resources associated with the 3GPP access network.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising establishing a PMIPv6 tunnel between the PDN GW and the trusted non-3GPP IP access network.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

sending a general packet radio service (GPRS) tunneling protocol (GTP) and radio access bearer (RAB) release message; and

receiving a GTP and RAB release acknowledgment (ACK).

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the policy update message includes information relating to a gateway (GW) in the trusted non-3GPP IP access network.