5G Authentication Request Routing for Direct UDM Discovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing 5G network architecture lacks efficient service discovery and selection mechanisms, particularly in the UDM service discovery process, leading to prolonged processing times and reduced end-to-end service operation efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating service routing information, such as UDM Group ID or Routing Indicator, into authentication requests between NF consumers like AMF and AUSF to facilitate direct UDM discovery and selection, thereby simplifying the service discovery process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If service discovery is performed without routing information in authentication requests, then NF consumers can maintain simpler authentication protocols, but service discovery and selection efficiency deteriorates leading to prolonged processing times

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication protocol complexityVSAvoidservice discovery efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-populating the authentication request message with service routing information (UDM Group ID or Routing Indicator) before the authentication process begins. The AMF determines and includes this routing information in the Nausf_UEAuthentication_Authenticate Request message sent to the AUSF, enabling the AUSF to perform direct UDM discovery and selection without additional processing steps, thus improving service discovery efficiency while maintaining protocol simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the authentication request message as an intermediary carrier to transmit service routing information from the AMF to the AUSF. This intermediary mechanism allows routing information to be conveyed through an existing message structure without requiring separate discovery protocols, thereby improving service discovery efficiency while keeping the authentication protocol relatively simple

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If routing information is included in authentication requests, then UDM discovery and selection efficiency is improved, but authentication message complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveUDM discovery efficiencyVSAvoidauthentication message structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges service routing information with the existing authentication request message structure. Instead of creating a separate message or protocol for UDM discovery, the routing information (UDM Group ID or Routing Indicator) is combined with the authentication credentials and serving network name in the Nausf_UEAuthentication_Authenticate Request message, thereby improving UDM discovery efficiency while minimizing additional message complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The authentication request message is designed to serve multiple functions: it carries authentication credentials (SUCI/SUPI), serving network identification, and service routing information for UDM discovery. This multi-functionality allows a single message to accomplish both authentication initiation and service discovery, improving efficiency while avoiding the need for separate specialized messages

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional service discovery methods are used without pre-provided routing information, then NF consumers can operate with standard procedures, but end-to-end service operation efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveNF consumer operational flexibilityVSAvoidend-to-end service operation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the AMF determine and include service routing information in the authentication request before the AUSF needs to perform UDM discovery. This advance preparation enables the AUSF to directly select the appropriate UDM instance without performing additional discovery operations, thereby improving end-to-end service operation efficiency while allowing NF consumers to operate with enhanced information

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Loss of time

If service routing information is transmitted in authentication requests, then processing time for service discovery is reduced, but information security requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice discovery processing timeVSAvoidinformation security

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the existing authentication message structure as an intermediary to securely transmit routing information. The routing information is conveyed within the protected authentication request message that already has security mechanisms in place, allowing reduced processing time while maintaining security through the use of established security protocols for the authentication message

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250317732A1Method and apparatus for service discovery

Publication Date: 2025.10.09 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatuses for service discovery. The method comprises determining to initiate an authentication of a user equipment (UE); and sending an authentication request message including an encrypted or unencrypted identity of a subscriber of the UE, a serving network name and routing information of a data management node to an authentication server.