Method and system for managing location determination requests in a communication network

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method [400] and a system [300] for managing one or more location determination requests in a communication network The present disclosure encompasses a location management function (LMF) unit [302] comprising a transceiver unit [304] to send a network function discovery request to a network repository function (NRF) unit [310] and receive profile data associated with one or more available access and mobility management functions (AMF) units [312] from the NRF unit [310]. A storage unit [306] stores the profile data. An authentication unit [308] establishes a connection with the one or more available AMF units [312] based at least on the profile data. Further, the transceiver unit [304] receives a new one or more location determination requests and transmits the new one or more location determination requests to the one or more available AMF units [312] based at least on the established connection.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING LOCATION DETERMINATION REQUESTS IN A COMMUNICATION NETWORKTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to network performance management systems. More particularly, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods and systems for managing location determination requests in a communication network.BACKGROUND

[0002] The following description of the related art is intended to provide background information pertaining to the field of the disclosure. This section may include certain aspects of the art that may be related to various features of the present disclosure. However, it should be appreciated that this section is used only to enhance the understanding of the reader with respect to the present disclosure, and not as admissions of the prior art.

[0003] Wireless communication technology has rapidly evolved over the past few decades, with each generation bringing significant improvements and advancements. The first generation of wireless communication technology was based on analog technology and offered only voice services. However, with the advent of the second generation (2G) technology, digital communication and data services became possible, and text messaging was introduced. Third generation (3G) technology marked the introduction of high-speed internet access, mobile video calling, and location-based services. The fourth generation (4G) technology revolutionized wireless communication with faster data speeds, better network coverage, and improved security. Currently, the fifth generation (5G) technology is being deployed, promising even faster data speeds, lower latency, and the ability to connect multiple devices simultaneously. With each generation, wireless communication technology has become more advanced, sophisticated, and capable of delivering more services to its users.

[0004] Access and Mobility Management Functions (AMFs) are microservices enabled within the communication network that are configured to handle access and mobility management for user equipment (UE), which may include tasks such as registration, authentication, and tracking of the LTE while the LTE is moving or stationary within the communication network. Additionally,Location Management Functions (LMF) are microservices that are responsible for managing location-related information of the UE within the communication network. Particularly, an LMF tracks the geographical locations of the UE as the UE moves within the communication network. Further, Network Repository Functions (NRFs) are network functions that assist in service discovery and routing of data. An NRF is configured to determine one or more target network functions or microservices that are adapted to handle a specific request or data.

[0005] Generally, whenever the LMF receives a request to determine location of the UE, the LMF needs to query the NRF to discover a particular AMF from one or more AMFs to handle the request. While such a sequence of operations may be effective in case of very few requests received by the LMF, in reality, the LMF received an exceedingly high number of requests at any instant. In such cases, such a sequence of operations may hinder expeditious retrieval of location data of the UE.

[0006] Over time, various solutions have been developed to improve the performance of communication devices and to reduce the latency during handling of such location determination requests. However, there are challenges with presently used solutions. For instance, the LMF needs to actively discover the particular AMF from the one or more AMFs each time the LMF receives the new location determination request. Also, the LMF needs to discover and create a connection with the particular AMF each time to handle the location determination request. In this manner, the LMF needs to create separate connections with the one or more AMFs for handling separate location determination requests. Also, the LMF is required to communicate each time with the NRF with a new AMF discovery request along with the location determination request, thereby resulting in increased latency.

[0007] Thus, there exists an imperative need in the art to exclude AMF discovery requests in each location determination request from the NRF, which the present disclosure aims to address.OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0008] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment disclosed herein satisfies are listed herein below.

[0009] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a system and a method for managing one or more location determination requests in a communication network.

[0010] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a solution that enables a location management function (LMF) to handle one or more location determination requests without requiring to communicate with a network repository function (NRF) for each instance of receipt of a new location determination request.

[0011] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide a solution to store access and mobility management function (AMF) profiles of different AMFs in a cache storage.SUMMARY

[0012] This section is provided to introduce certain aspects of the present disclosure in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify the key features or the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0013] An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for managing one or more location determination requests in a communication network. The method comprises sending, by a transceiver unit, at a location management function (LMF) unit, a network function discovery request to a network repository function (NRF) unit. The method further comprises receiving, by the transceiver unit, at the LMF unit, profile data associated with one or more available access and mobility management functions (AMF) units, from the NRF unit. The method further comprises storing, by a storage unit, at the LMF unit, the profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units. The method further comprises establishing, by an authentication unit, at the LMF unit, a connection with the one or more available AMF units based at least on the profile data stored in the storage unit. The method further comprises receiving, by the transceiver unit, at the LMF unit, a new one or more location determination requests. The method further comprises transmitting, by the transceiver unit, at the LMF unit, the new one or more location determination requests to the one or more available AMF units, based at least on the established connection.

[0014] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the method further comprises sending, by the transceiver unit, the network function discovery request, at the LMF unit, once during start-up.

[0015] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the method further comprises receiving, by the transceiver unit, at the LMF unit, a network function discovery response from the NRF unit, in response to the network function discovery request, wherein the network function discovery response comprises the profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units.

[0016] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the method further comprises receiving, by the transceiver unit, at the LMF unit, the profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units during the start-up.

[0017] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the method further comprises searching, by the transceiver unit, at the LMF unit, the profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units stored in the storage unit in response to receiving the new one or more location determination requests.

[0018] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the searching the profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units comprises: sending, by the transceiver unit to the storage unit, a request to receive the profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units; and receiving, at the transceiver unit from the storage unit, the profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units, in response to the request.

[0019] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system for managing one or more location determination requests in a communication network. The system comprises a location management function (LMF) unit. The LMF unit comprises a transceiver unit, the transceiver unit configured to: send a network function discovery request to a network repository function (NRF) unit; and receive profile data associated with one or more available access and mobility management functions (AMF) units from the NRF unit. The LMF unit further comprises a storage unit connected to at least the transceiver unit, the storage unit is configured to store the profile data associated with the one or more available access and mobility management functions (AMF) units. The LMF unit further comprises an authentication unit connected to at least the storage unit, the authentication unit configured to establish a connection with the one or more available AMF units, based at least on the profile data stored in the storage unit. The transceiver unit is further configured to: receive a new one or more location determination requests; and transmit the new one or more location determination requests to the one or more available AMF units based at least on the established connection.

[0020] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, storing instructions for managing one or more location determination requests in a communication network, the instruction comprising executable code which, when executed by one or more units of a system, causes: a transceiver unit

[0304] to: send, at a location management function (LMF) unit

[0302] , a network function discovery request to a network repository function (NRF) unit

[0310] ; receive, at the LMF unit

[0302] , profile data associated with one or more available access and mobility management functions (AMF) units

[0312] from the NRF unit

[0310] ; a storage unit

[0306] to store, at the LMF unit

[0302] , the profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units

[0312] ; an authentication unit

[0308] to establish, at the the location management function (LMF) unit

[0302] , a connection with the one or more available access and mobility management functions (AMF) units based at least on the profile data stored in the storage unit

[0306] ; and the transceiver unit

[0304] to: receive, at the LMF unit

[0302] , a new one or more location determination requests; and transmit, at the LMF unit

[0302] , the new one or more location determination requests to the one or more available AMF units

[0312] based at least on the established connection.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the disclosed methods and systems in which like reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the different drawings. Components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Also, the embodiments shown in the figures are not to be construed as limiting the disclosure, but the possible variants of the method and system according to the disclosure are illustrated herein to highlight the advantages of the disclosure. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that disclosure of such drawings includes disclosure of electrical components or circuitry commonly used to implement such components.

[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary block diagram representation of a fifth-generation core (5GC) network architecture.

[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a computing device upon which one or more features of the present disclosure may be implemented, in accordance with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a system for managing one or more location determination requests in a communication network, in accordance with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram of a method for managing one or more location determination requests in the communication network, in accordance with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a system architecture for managing one or more location determination requests in the communication network, in accordance with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure.

[0027] The foregoing shall be more apparent from the following more detailed description of the disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, various specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, that embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. Several features described hereafter may each be used independently of one another or with any combination of other features. An individual feature may not address any of the problems discussed above or might address only some of the problems discussed above.

[0029] The ensuing description provides exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the exemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing an exemplary embodiment. It should be understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth.

[0030] Specific details are given in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that theembodiments may be practiced without these specific details. For example, circuits, systems, processes, and other components may be shown as components in block diagram form in order not to obscure the embodiments in unnecessary detail.

[0031] Also, it is noted that individual embodiments may be described as a process which is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a data flow diagram, a structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart may describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations may be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged. A process is terminated when its operations are completed but could have additional steps not included in a figure.

[0032] The word “exemplary” and / or “demonstrative” is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. For the avoidance of doubt, the subject matter disclosed herein is not limited by such examples. In addition, any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” and / or “demonstrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs, nor is it meant to preclude equivalent exemplary structures and techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes,” “has,” “contains,” and other similar words are used in either the detailed description or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive — in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as an open transition word — without precluding any additional or other elements.

[0033] As used herein, a “processing unit” or “processor” or “operating processor” includes one or more processors, wherein processor refers to any logic circuitry for processing instructions. A processor may be a general-purpose processor, a special purpose processor, a conventional processor, a digital signal processor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in association with a Digital Signal Processing (DSP) core, a controller, a microcontroller, Application Specific Integrated Circuits, Field Programmable Gate Array circuits, any other type of integrated circuits, etc. The processor may perform signal coding data processing, input / output processing, and / or any other functionality that enables the working of the system according to the present disclosure. More specifically, the processor or processing unit is a hardware processor.

[0034] As used herein, “a user equipment”, “a user device”, “a smart-user-device”, “a smartdevice”, “an electronic device”, “a mobile device”, “a handheld device”, “a wireless communication device”, “a mobile communication device”, “a communication device” may beany electrical, electronic and / or computing device or equipment, capable of implementing the features of the present disclosure. The user equipment / device may include, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, smart phone, laptop, a general-purpose computer, desktop, personal digital assistant, tablet computer, wearable device or any other computing device which is capable of implementing the features of the present disclosure. Also, the user device may contain at least one input means configured to receive an input from unit(s) which are required to implement the features of the present disclosure.

[0035] As used herein, “storage unit” or “memory unit” refers to a machine or computer-readable medium including any mechanism for storing information in a form readable by a computer or similar machine. For example, a computer-readable medium includes read-only memory (“ROM”), random access memory (“RAM”), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash memory devices or other types of machine-accessible storage media. The storage unit stores at least the data that may be required by one or more units of the system to perform their respective functions.

[0036] As used herein “interface” or “user interface” refers to a shared boundary across which two or more separate components of a system exchange information or data. The interface may also refer to a set of rules or protocols that define communication or interaction of one or more modules or one or more units with each other, which also includes the methods, functions, or procedures that may be called.

[0037] All modules, units, components used herein, unless explicitly excluded herein, may be software modules or hardware processors, the processors being a general-purpose processor, a special purpose processor, a conventional processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in association with a DSP core, a controller, a microcontroller, Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC), Field Programmable Gate Array circuits (FPGA), any other type of integrated circuits, etc.

[0038] As used herein the transceiver unit includes at least one receiver and at least one transmitter configured respectively for receiving and transmitting data, signals, information or a combination thereof between units / components within the system and / or connected with the system.

[0039] The present disclosure aims to overcome the shortcomings discussed in the background section, and other existing problems in this field of technology by providing a method and a system of managing one or more location determination requests in a communication network. The present solution discovers all available AMFs (for example, in a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN)), and then stores the AMF profiles in a cache. During handling of a new network request, the cache is searched for the available AMF profile and therefore, connections with the NRF may not be required.

[0040] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary block diagram representation of 5thgeneration core (5GC) network architecture, in accordance with exemplary implementation of the present disclosure. As shown in figure 1, the 5GC network architecture

[0100] includes a user equipment (UE)

[0102] , a radio access network (RAN)

[0104] , an access and mobility management function (AMF)

[0106] , a Session Management Function (SMF)

[0108] , a Service Communication Proxy (SCP)

[0110] , an Authentication Server Function (AUSF)

[0112] , a Network Slice Specific Authentication and Authorization Function (NSSAAF)

[0114] , a Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF)

[0116] , a Network Exposure Function (NEF)

[0118] , a Network Repository Function (NRF)

[0120] , a Policy Control Function (PCF)

[0122] , a Unified Data Management (UDM)

[0124] , an application function (AF)

[0126] , a User Plane Function (UPF)

[0128] , a data network (DN)

[0130] , Location Management Function (LMF)

[0132] , Gateway Mobile Location Centre (GMLC)

[0134] and Location Services (LCS)

[0136] wherein all the components are assumed to be connected to each other in a manner as obvious to the person skilled in the art for implementing features of the present disclosure.

[0041] Radio Access Network (RAN)

[0104] is the part of a mobile telecommunications system that connects user equipment (UE)

[0102] to the core network (CN) and provides access to different types of networks (e.g., 5G network). It consists of radio base stations and the radio access technologies that enable wireless communication.

[0042] Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF)

[0106] is a 5G core network function responsible for managing access and mobility aspects, such as UE registration, connection, and reachability. It also handles mobility management procedures like handovers and paging.

[0043] Session Management Function (SMF)

[0108] is a 5G core network function responsible for managing session-related aspects, such as establishing, modifying, and releasing sessions. It coordinates with the User Plane Function (UPF) for data forwarding and handles IP address allocation and QoS enforcement.

[0044] Service Communication Proxy (SCP)

[0110] is a network function in the 5G core network that facilitates communication between other network functions by providing a secure and efficient messaging service. It acts as a mediator for service-based interfaces.

[0045] Authentication Server Function (AUSF)

[0112] is a network function in the 5G core responsible for authenticating UEs during registration and providing security services. It generates and verifies authentication vectors and tokens.

[0046] Network Slice Specific Authentication and Authorization Function (NSSAAF)

[0114] is a network function that provides authentication and authorization services specific to network slices. It ensures that UEs can access only the slices for which they are authorized.

[0047] Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF)

[0116] is a network function responsible for selecting the appropriate network slice for a UE based on factors such as subscription, requested services, and network policies.

[0048] Network Exposure Function (NEF)

[0118] is a network function that exposes capabilities and services of the 5G network to external applications, enabling integration with third-party services and applications.

[0049] Network Repository Function (NRF)

[0120] is a network function that acts as a central repository for information about available network functions and services. It facilitates the discovery and dynamic registration of network functions.

[0050] Policy Control Function (PCF)

[0122] is a network function responsible for policy control decisions, such as QoS, charging, and access control, based on subscriber information and network policies.

[0051] Unified Data Management (UDM)

[0124] is a network function that centralizes the management of subscriber data, including authentication, authorization, and subscription information.

[0052] Application Function (AF)

[0126] is a network function that represents external applications interfacing with the 5G core network to access network capabilities and services.

[0053] User Plane Function (UPF)

[0128] is a network function responsible for handling user data traffic, including packet routing, forwarding, and QoS enforcement.

[0054] Data Network (DN)

[0130] refers to a network that provides data services to user equipment (UE) in a telecommunications system. The data services may include but are not limited to Internet services, private data network related services.

[0055] Location Management Function (LMF)

[0132] is a network function in the 5G core responsible for managing the location information of user equipment (UE). It coordinates with other network functions (NFs) to determine and provide the geographic location of a UE. The LMF offers Nlmf Location service that enables the other NFs to request location determination for a target UE or periodic request or triggered location.

[0056] Gateway Mobile Location Centre (GMLC)

[0134] is a network entity that serves as an interface between the 5G core network and external location-based services. The GMLC retrieves location information from the LMF and other relevant network functions and provides it to authorized external applications, such as emergency services or location-based advertising platforms.

[0057] LCS (Location Services) is a service concept in system (e.g. GSM or UMTS) standardization. LCS specifies all the necessary network elements and entities, their functionalities, interfaces, as well as communication messages, due to implement the positioning functionality in a cellular network. LCS Client is software and / or hardware entity that interacts with a LCS Server for the purpose of obtaining location information for one or more Mobile Stations. LCS Clients subscribe to LCS in order to obtain location information. LCS Clients may or may not interact with human users. The LCS Client is responsible for formatting and presenting data and managing the user interface (dialogue). The LCS Client may reside in the Mobile Station (UE).

[0058] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a computing device

[0200] (herein, also referred to as a computer system

[0200] ) upon which one or more features of the present disclosure may be implemented in accordance with an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure. In an implementation, the computing device

[0200] may also implement a method for providing connectivity to one or more SE in a network environment utilising a system, or one or more sub-systems, provided in the network. In another implementation, the computing device

[0200] itself implements the method for providing connectivity to one or more SE in the network environment using one or more units configured within the computing device

[0200] , wherein said one or more units are capable of implementing the features as disclosed in the present disclosure.

[0059] The computing device

[0200] may include a bus

[0202] or other communication mechanism(s) for communicating information, and a hardware processor

[0204] coupled with bus

[0202] for processing said information. The hardware processor

[0204] may be, for example, a general-purpose microprocessor. The computing device

[0200] may also include a main memory

[0206] , such as a random-access memory (RAM), or other dynamic storage device, coupled to the bus

[0202] , for storing information and instructions to be executed by the processor

[0204] , The main memory

[0206] also may be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of the instructions to be executed by the processor

[0204] , Such instructions, when stored in a non-transitory storage media accessible to the processor

[0204] , render the computing device

[0200] into a special purpose device that is customized to perform operations according to the instructions. The computing device

[0200] further includes a read only memory (ROM)

[0208] or other static storage device coupled to the bus

[0202] for storing static information and instructions for the processor

[0204] ,

[0060] A storage device

[0210] , such as a magnetic disk, optical disk, or solid-state drive is provided and coupled to the bus

[0202] for storing information and instructions. The computing device

[0200] may be coupled via the bus

[0202] to a display

[0212] , such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), Liquid crystal Display (LCD), Light Emitting Diode (LED) display, Organic LED (OLED) display, etc., for displaying information to a user of the computing device

[0200] , An input device

[0214] , including alphanumeric and other keys, touch screen input means, etc. may be coupled to the bus

[0202] for communicating information and command selections to the processor

[0204] , Another type of user input device may be a cursor controller

[0216] , such as a mouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys, for communicating direction information and command selections to the processor

[0204] , and for controlling cursor movement on the display

[0212] , The cursor controller

[0216] typically has two degrees of freedom in two axes, a first axis (e.g., x) and a second axis (e.g., y), that allows the cursor controller

[0216] to specify positions in a plane.

[0061] The computing device

[0200] may implement the techniques described herein using customized hard-wired logic, one or more ASICs or FPGAs, firmware and / or program logic which,in combination with the computing device

[0200] , causes or programs the computing device

[0200] to be a special-purpose device. According to one implementation, the techniques herein are performed by the computing device

[0200] in response to the processor

[0204] executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions contained in the main memory

[0206] , The one or more instructions may be read into the main memory

[0206] from another storage medium, such as the storage device

[0210] , Execution of the one or more sequences of the one or more instructions contained in the main memory

[0206] causes the processor

[0204] to perform the process steps described herein. In alternative implementations of the present disclosure, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of, or in combination with, software instructions.

[0062] The computing device

[0200] also may include a communication interface

[0218] coupled to the bus

[0202] , The communication interface

[0218] provides two-way data communication coupling to a network link

[0220] that is connected to a local network

[0222] , For example, the communication interface

[0218] may be an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card, cable modem, satellite modem, or a modem to provide a data communication connection to a corresponding type of telecommunication line. In another example, the communication interface

[0218] may be a local area network (LAN) card to provide a data communication connection to a compatible LAN. Wireless links may also be implemented. In any such implementation, the communication interface

[0218] sends and receives electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams representing different types of information.

[0063] The computing device

[0200] can send and receive data, including program code, messages, etc. through the network(s), the network link

[0220] and the communication interface

[0218] , In an example, a server

[0230] might transmit a requested code for an application program through the Internet

[0228] , the ISP

[0226] , the local network

[0222] , the host

[0224] and the communication interface

[0218] , The received code may be executed by the processor

[0204] as it is received, and / or stored in the storage device

[0210] , or other non-volatile storage for later execution.

[0064] The present disclosure is implemented by a system

[0300] (as shown in FIG. 3). In an implementation, the system

[0300] may include the computing device

[0200] (as shown in FIG. 2). It is further noted that the computing device

[0200] is able to perform the steps of a method

[0400] (as shown in FIG. 4).

[0065] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a system

[0300] for managing one or more location determination requests in a communication network, in accordance with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure. The system

[0300] comprises at least one location management function (LMF) unit

[0302] , at least one transceiver unit

[0304] , at least one storage unit

[0306] , and at least one authentication unit

[0308] , Also, all of the components / units of the system

[0300] are assumed to be connected to each other unless otherwise indicated below. As shown in FIG. 3, all units shown within the system

[0300] should also be assumed to be connected to each other. Also, in FIG. 3 only a few units are shown; however, the system

[0300] may comprise multiple such units or the system

[0300] may comprise any such numbers of said units, as required to implement the features of the present disclosure. Further, in an implementation, the system

[0300] may be present in a user device / user equipment

[0102] to implement the features of the present disclosure. The system

[0300] may be a part of a user equipment (UE) (such, as the UE

[0102] shown in FIG. 1) or may be independent of but in communication with the UE. In another implementation, the system

[0300] may reside in a server or a network entity. In yet another implementation, the system

[0300] may reside partly in the server / network entity and partly in the UE. In an implementation, the system

[0300] may be in communicably connection with at least one network repository function (NRF) unit

[0310] , and one or more access and mobility management functions (AMF) units

[0312] , The one or more AMF units

[0312] may include AMF-1, AMF-2, AMF-3, etc. While only three units are shown in FIG. 3, it may be understood that more AMF units may be within the scope of this disclosure.

[0066] The system

[0300] is configured for managing one or more location determination requests in a communication network, with the help of the interconnection between the components / units of the system

[0300] , the NRF unit

[0310] and the one or more AMF units

[0312] ,

[0067] Further, in accordance with the present disclosure, it is to be acknowledged that the functionality described for the various components / units can be implemented interchangeably. While specific embodiments may disclose a particular functionality of these units for clarity, it is recognized that various configurations and combinations thereof are within the scope of the disclosure. The functionality of specific units as disclosed in the disclosure should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. Consequently, alternative arrangements and substitutions of units, provided they achieve the intended functionality described herein, are considered to be encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0068] The LMF unit

[0302] is responsible for tracking a geographical location of a user equipment (UE) in the communication network. The LMF unit may coordinate with a plurality of network functions for fetching the geographical location of the UE. It is to be noted that the LMF unit

[0302] is labelled to specify the implementation of the present disclosure and the LMF unit

[0302] is sustainably similar to the LMF

[0132] as mentioned in the FIG. 1.

[0069] In an embodiment, the LMF unit

[0302] comprises the transceiver unit

[0304] , The transceiver unit

[0304] is configured to send a network function (NF) discovery request to the NRF unit

[0310] , The NRF unit

[0310] is an entity in the network that maintains the NF profile of all the available network function instances along with the services supported by each NF instance. Further, the NRF unit

[0310] , post receiving the NF discovery request (over NnrfJNFDiscovery service) from the LMF unit

[0302] or via other network functions or via Secure Copy Protocol (SCP) instances, may further provide an information of all the available NF instances that may fulfil certain criteria (or the NF instances that may support a requested service).

[0070] Further, the network function discovery request i.e., NnrfJNFDiscovery service may refer to a request sent by the LMF unit

[0302] to the NRF unit

[0310] , for determining one or more available network functions for the UE. Specifically, the network function discovery request may pertain to determination of availability of the appropriate network functions such as one or more AMF units

[0312] along with their associated services that may be configured to access location data of the UE. Furthermore, the network function discovery request may include information such as a target-nf-instance-id parameter for identifying the target NF Instance ID or similar information known in the art.

[0071] The transceiver unit

[0304] of the LMF unit

[0302] is configured to send the network function discovery request once during start-up. Here, the start-up may refer to conditions associated with initialization of the LMF unit

[0302] , such as, without limitations, restarting of the LMF unit

[0302] such as opening an application configured with the LMF unit

[0302] , etc. While some conditions of the start-up are presented above as example, a person skilled in the art may appreciate that other conditions associated with start-up of the LMF unit

[0302] are covered within the scope of this disclosure. Further, during the start-up, the LMF unit

[0302] may initiate a communicable coupling with other one or more network functions associated with the network.

[0072] Further, the transceiver unit

[0304] of the LMF unit

[0302] is configured to receive a network function discovery response i.e., SearchResult from the NRF unit

[0310] , in response to the network function discovery request. The network function discovery response (SearchResult) includes profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units

[0312] , Herein, the profile data may include information associated with the one or more available AMF units

[0312] , such as, without limitations, a network function (NF) instance ID (Unique identity of the NF Instance), an NF type (Type of Network Function), an NF status (Status of the NF Instance), a collocated Instances (Information related collocated NF type(s) and corresponding NF Instance(s) when the NF is collocated with NF s supporting other NF types), a NF locality (Operator defined information about the location of the NF instance), a NF capacity (overall capacity of the NF, and current load on the NF), an ipv4Addresses of the network function, an ipv6Addresses of the network function and other information known to a person skilled in the art.

[0073] The transceiver unit

[0304] of the LMF unit

[0302] is configured to receive the profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units

[0312] during the start-up.

[0074] In an embodiment, the LMF unit

[0302] further comprises the storage unit

[0306] , The storage unit

[0304] is connected to at least the transceiver unit

[0304] , The storage unit

[0306] is configured to store the profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units

[0312] , The transceiver unit

[0304] may further be configured to transfer the profile data to the storage unit

[0306] via an internal communication bus within the LMF unit

[0302] , or via a direct memory access (DMA). The storage unit

[0306] mentioned herein may include one or more storage media, such as, without limitations, Random Access Memory (RAM), Solid State Drive (SSD), Hard Disk Drive (HDD), a database, etc.

[0075] Further, in an implementation of the present disclosure, the storage unit

[0306] may store the profile data in a predefined format. The predefined format may include categorizations such as, based on the instance ID, the type, the status, the collocated Instances, the locality, the capacity, the ipv4Addresses, the ipv6Addresses of the network function. The predefined format may facilitate ease of access of the profile data.

[0076] In an embodiment, the LMF unit

[0302] further comprises the authentication unit

[0308] , The authentication unit

[0308] is connected to at least the storage unit

[0306] , The authentication unit

[0308] is configured to establish a connection with the one or more available AMF units

[0312] based at least on the profile data stored in the storage unit

[0306] ,

[0077] In order to establish the connection with one AMF unit

[0312] (e.g., the AMF-1) from the one or more available AMF units

[0312] , the authentication unit

[0308] may be configured to retrieve a profile data associated with the available AMF unit

[0312] , The authentication unit

[0308] may be further configured to validate the available AMF unit

[0312] by comparing the retrieved profile data from the storage, and profile data received from the AMF unit

[0312] , In case of a positive match, the authentication unit

[0308] may be configured to deem the AMF unit

[0312] as valid, and establish a secure connectivity between the LMF unit

[0302] , and the AMF unit

[0312] , In an embodiment, the secure connectivity may be facilitated through protocols, such as, without limitations, transport layer security (TLS), or IPsec, etc.

[0078] The transceiver unit

[0304] is further connected at least to the authentication unit

[0308] , The transceiver unit

[0304] is configured to receive new one or more location determination requests. The received new one or more location determination request may contain at least one of a (external client type, LCS correlation identifier, serving cell identifier, location QoS, supported GAD shapes, LDR Type, H-GMLC address, LDR Reference, UE connectivity state per access type, TNAP identifier, TWAP identifier, scheduled location time, integrity requirements, etc.) and thereafter, the transceiver unit

[0304] is further configured to transmit the new one or more location determination requests to the one or more available AMF units

[0312] based at least on the established connection.

[0079] In an embodiment, the transceiver unit

[0304] is further configured to search, at the LMF unit

[0302] the profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units

[0312] stored in the storage unit

[0306] in response to receiving the new one or more location determination requests. Further, to search the profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units

[0312] , the transceiver unit

[0304] is configured to send, to the storage unit

[0306] , a request to receive the profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units

[0312] , and thereafter, to receive, from the storage unit

[0306] , the profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units

[0312] , in response to the request.

[0080] For ease of understanding, the above-mentioned description is explained with the help of an exemplary scenario: during a start-up of the LMF unit

[0302] , the transceiver unit

[0304] at theLMF unit

[0302] may send the network function discovery request to the NRF unit

[0310] to inquire the available one or more AMF units

[0312] , Thereafter, the NRF unit

[0310] may process the network function discovery request and further return a network function discovery response which may contain the profile data for the available one or more AMF units

[0312] , Thereafter, the transceiver unit

[0304] may receive the network function discovery response from the NRF unit

[0310] , and the transceiver unit

[0304] may further process the network function discovery response to extract the profile data associated with the available one or more AMF units

[0312] ,

[0081] The transceiver unit

[0304] at the LMF unit

[0302] , may further receive a new location determination request. Post receiving the new location determination request, the transceiver unit

[0304] may further process the new location determination request to ensure that the new location determination request contains the necessary information. Thereafter, based on the established connections with the available one or more AMF units

[0312] , the transceiver unit

[0304] may further forward the new location determination request to the appropriate AMF units

[0312] based on the profile data stored in the storage unit

[0306] , Thereafter, the AMF units

[0312] may further respond with the location data of the UE, and the same is forwarded to a requesting entity of the UE. The location data is also stored in the storage unit

[0306] for further processing within the LMF unit

[0302] ,

[0082] In order to search the profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units

[0312] , the transceiver unit

[0304] may initiate a search request to receive the profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units

[0312] , The search request may further include one or more details related to specific criteria of the profile data that is being searched by the transceiver unit

[0304] , The storage unit

[0306] , based on the search request may further retrieve the profile data that matches the specific criteria, and further send the search response regarding the successful retrieval of the profile data. Further, post successful retrieval of the profile data, the transceiver unit

[0304] may further perform the one or more required operations that may be requested by the LMF unit

[0302] ,

[0083] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram of a method

[0400] for managing one or more location determination requests in the communication network, in accordance with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure. In an implementation the method

[0400] is performed by the system

[0300] shown in FIG. 3. Referring now to FIGs. 3 and 4, the method

[0400] starts at step 402.

[0084] At step 404, the method

[0400] comprises sending, by the transceiver unit

[0304] , at the LMF unit

[0302] , the network function discovery request to the NRF unit

[0310] ,

[0085] In an embodiment, the method

[0400] comprises sending, by the transceiver unit

[0304] the network function discovery request, at the LMF unit

[0302] once during the start-up.

[0086] At step 406, the method

[0400] comprises receiving, by the transceiver unit

[0304] , at LMF unit

[0302] , the profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units

[0312] from the NRF unit

[0310] ,

[0087] In an embodiment, the method

[0400] comprises receiving, by the transceiver unit

[0304] , at the LMF unit

[0302] , the network function discovery response from the NRF unit

[0310] , in response to the network function discovery request. The network function discovery response comprises the profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units

[0312] ,

[0088] In an embodiment, the method

[0400] comprises receiving, by the transceiver unit

[0304] , at the LMF unit

[0302] , the profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units

[0312] during the start-up.

[0089] At step 408, the method

[0400] comprises storing, by the storage unit

[0306] , at the LMF unit

[0302] , the profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units

[0312] ,

[0090] At step 410, the method

[0400] comprises establishing, by the authentication unit

[0308] , at the LMF unit

[0302] , a connection with the one or more available AMF units

[0312] based at least on the profile data stored in the storage unit

[0306] ,

[0091] At step 412, the method

[0400] comprises receiving, by the transceiver unit

[0304] , at the LMF unit

[0302] , a new one or more location determination requests.

[0092] At step 414, the method

[0400] comprises transmitting, by the transceiver unit

[0304] , at the LMF unit

[0302] , the new one or more location determination requests to the one or more available AMF units

[0310] based at least on the established connection.

[0093] In an embodiment, the method

[0400] further comprises searching, by the transceiver unit

[0304] , at the location management function (LMF) unit

[0302] , the profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units

[0312] stored in the storage unit

[0306] in response to receiving the new one or more location determination requests. In an embodiment, the method

[0400] comprises sending, by the transceiver unit

[0304] to the storage unit

[0306] , the request to receive the profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units

[0312] , and thereafter, receiving, at the transceiver unit

[0304] from the storage unit

[0306] , the profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units

[0312] in response to the request.

[0094] The method

[0400] thereafter terminates at step 416.

[0095] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a system architecture

[0500] for managing one or more location determination requests in the communication network, in accordance with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure. The system architecture

[0500] includes an LMF

[0502] , an NRF

[0504] , a cache

[0506] , an AMF-R

[0508] , an AMF-1 [510-1], an AMF-2 [510- 2], and an AMF-3 [510-3],

[0096] In an embodiment, a location determination request is received at the LMF

[0502] , Initially, the LMF

[0502] sends the NF discovery request to the NRF

[0504] , In response to the NF discovery request, the NRF

[0504] sends the NF discovery response to the LMF

[0502] , Based on the NF discovery response, the LMF

[0502] is configured to discover the one or more AMFs [510-1, 510- 2, 510-3; herein, collectively or individually referenced as

[0510] ) that are available to connect in a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN). For example, the LMF

[0502] receives the location determination request and to address the location determination request, the LMF

[0502] discovers the one or more AMFs

[0510] , The profile information associated with the one or more AMFs

[0510] is stored in the one or more AMF profiles in the cache

[0506] , For example, the profile information associated with the AMF-1 is stored in the cache as AMF profile- 1, etc. During handling of a new location determination request, the LMF

[0502] does not communicate with the NRF

[0504] , Instead, the LMF

[0502] searches for the required AMF

[0510] through the AMF profiles pre-stored in the cache

[0506] , In this manner, the LMF

[0502] handles the location determination requests with reduced latency.

[0097] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, storing instructions for managing one or more location determination requests in a communication network, the instruction comprising executable code which, when executed by one or more units of a system, causes: a transceiver unit

[0304] to: send, at a location management function (LMF) unit

[0302] , a network function discovery request to a network repository function (NRF) unit

[0310] ; receive, at the LMF unit

[0302] , profile data associated with one or more available access and mobility management functions (AMF) units

[0312] from the NRF unit

[0310] ; a storage unit

[0306] to store, at the LMF unit

[0302] , the profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units

[0312] ; an authentication unit

[0308] to establish, at the the location management function (LMF) unit

[0302] , a connection with the one or more available access and mobility management functions (AMF) units based at least on the profile data stored in the storage unit

[0306] ; and the transceiver unit

[0304] to: receive, at the LMF unit

[0302] , a new one or more location determination requests; and transmit, at the LMF unit

[0302] , the new one or more location determination requests to the one or more available AMF units

[0312] based at least on the established connection.

[0098] As is evident from the above, the present disclosure provides a technically advanced solution for managing one or more location determination requests in a communication network. The present solution may provide an efficient retrieval of all the available AMFs, and may further provide a fast responsive action for any new network request which may further reduce any latency and may also enhance the accuracy and security in the network infrastructure.

[0099] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the disclosed implementations, it will be appreciated that many implementations can be made and that many changes can be made to the implementations without departing from the principles of the present disclosure. These and other changes in the implementations of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, whereby it is to be understood that the foregoing descriptive matter to be implemented is illustrative and non-limiting.

Claims

We Claim:

1. A method [400] for managing one or more location determination requests in a communication network, the method [400] comprising:- sending, by a transceiver unit [304], at a location management function (LMF) unit [302], a network function discovery request to a network repository function (NRF) unit [310];- receiving, by the transceiver unit [304], at the LMF unit [302], profile data associated with one or more available access and mobility management functions (AMF) units [312] from the NRF unit [310];- storing, by a storage unit [306], at the LMF unit [302], the profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units [312];- establishing, by an authentication unit [308], at the the location management function (LMF) unit [302], a connection with the one or more available access and mobility management functions (AMF) units based at least on the profile data stored in the storage unit [306];- receiving, by the transceiver unit [304], at the LMF unit [302], a new one or more location determination requests; and- transmitting, by the transceiver unit [304], at the LMF unit [302], the new one or more location determination requests to the one or more available AMF units [312] based at least on the established connection.

2. The method [400] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method [400] further comprises sending, by the transceiver unit [304], the network function discovery request, at the LMF unit [302] once during start-up.

3. The method [400] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method [400] further comprises:- receiving, by the transceiver unit [304], at the LMF unit [302], a network function discovery response from the NRF unit [310] in response to the network function discovery request, and wherein the network function discovery response comprises the profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units [312],4. The method [400] as claimed in claim 2, wherein the method [400] further comprises:- receiving, by the transceiver unit [304], at the LMF unit [302], the profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units [312] during the start-up.

5. The method [400] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method [400] further comprises:- searching, by the transceiver unit [304], at the LMF unit [302], the profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units [312] stored in the storage unit [306] in response to receiving the new one or more location determination requests.

6. The method [400] as claimed in claim 5, wherein the searching the profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units [312] comprises:- sending, by the transceiver unit [304] to the storage unit [306], a request to receive the profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units [312]; and- receiving, at the transceiver unit [304] from the storage unit [306], the profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units [312] in response to the request.

7. A system [300] for managing one or more location determination requests in a communication network, the system [300] comprising a location management function (LMF) unit [302], the LMF unit [302] further comprising:- a transceiver unit [304], the transceiver unit [304] configured to:- send a network function discovery request to a network repository function (NRF) unit [310]; and- receive profile data associated with one or more available access and mobility management functions (AMF) units [312] from the NRF unit [310];- a storage unit [306] connected to at least the transceiver unit [304], the storage unit [306] is configured to store the profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units [312]; and- an authentication unit [308] connected to at least the storage unit [306], the authentication unit [308] configured to establish a connection with the one or more available AMF units [312] based at least on the profile data stored in the storage unit [306], wherein the transceiver unit [304] is further configured to:- receive a new one or more location determination requests; and- transmit the new one or more location determination requests to the one or more available AMF units [312] based at least on the established connection.

8. The system [300] as claimed in claim 7, wherein the transceiver unit [304] of the LMF unit [302] is configured to send the network function discovery request once during start-up.

9. The system [300] as claimed in claim 7, wherein the transceiver unit [304] of the LMF unit [302] is configured to receive a network function discovery response from the NRF unit [310] in response to the network function discovery request, and wherein the network function discovery response comprises the profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units [312],10. The system [300] as claimed in claim 8, wherein the transceiver unit [304] of the LMF unit [302] is configured to receive the profile data associated with the one or more available AMF [312] units during the start-up.

11. The system [300] as claimed in claim 7, wherein the transceiver unit [304] of the LMF unit [302] is configured to search the profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units [312] stored in the storage unit [306] in response to receiving the new one or more location determination requests.

12. The system [300] as claimed in claim 11, wherein to search the profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units [312], the transceiver unit [304] is configured to:- send, to the storage unit [306], a request to receive the profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units [312]; and- receive, from the storage unit [306], the profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units [312] in response to the request.

13. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, storing instructions for managing one or more location determination requests in a communication network, the instruction comprising executable code which, when executed by one or more units of a system, causes:- a transceiver unit [304] to:- send, at a location management function (LMF) unit [302], a network function discovery request to a network repository function (NRF) unit [310];- receive, at the LMF unit [302], profile data associated with one or more available access and mobility management functions (AMF) units [312] from the NRF unit [310];- a storage unit [306] to store, at the LMF unit [302], the profile data associated with the one or more available AMF units [312];- an authentication unit [308] to establish, at the the location management function (LMF) unit [302], a connection with the one or more available access and mobility management functions (AMF) units based at least on the profile data stored in the storage unit [306]; and - the transceiver unit [304] to:- receive, at the LMF unit [302], a new one or more location determination requests; and- transmit, at the LMF unit [302], the new one or more location determination requests to the one or more available AMF units [312] based at least on the established connection.

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