Intersection signaling method for bearer management

A method for bearer management signaling in a communication network, the method comprising:

• forming an union of resource (UR) request message in an evolved packet edge (EPE), wherein the EPE comprises a user equipment (UE) and a relay node (RN);
• transporting the UR request message from the EPE via a base station to a managing entity of relay nodes (RNs) within an evolved packet core (EPC), wherein the managing entity of RNs are network nodes that manage or administer RNs, wherein the management entity of RNs comprises at least one of the following:
• a mobility management entity serving the relay node (MME_RN), a serving gate way node, and a packet gate way node;
• and
• receiving an intersection of admission response by the base station for the transported UR Request, from the management entity of the UE within the EPC, wherein the management entity is the mobility management entity not serving/managing same entities in the EPE.

A bearer management signaling system for relay node in a communication network comprising:

• a receiver for receiving a non-access stratum (NAS) and an intersection of admission (IA) response message;
• a processor configured for tagging the NAS message, wherein tagging the NAS message comprises adding a user equipment identity (UE13 ID) with the received NAS message, wherein the NAS message is a relay node NAS (RN NAS) message when coupled to a user equipment (UE) via an another relay node, and wherein the UE13 ID is a relay node identity (RN13 ID) when coupled to the UE via the another relay node;
• wherein the processor is further configured for constructing the RN NAS message by encapsulating the NAS message along with a tag;
• a transmitter for transmitting the RN NAS message towards a managing entity via a base station;
• wherein the processor is further configured for understanding the received IA response message and the NAS message from the base station and performing a radio resource control (RRC) configuration if indicated in the IA response message;
• wherein the transmitter if further configured for transmitting the NAS message, a radio bearer configuration message and the IA response message to EPE entities;
• and
• a memory that retains instructions for executing functions associated with the receiver, the processor, and the transmitter.