5G NAS Registration Control for Enhanced Coverage Restriction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in 5G networks is determining whether to apply restrictions on enhanced coverage for user equipment (UE) based on subscription information, which is not adequately addressed in existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
Enhancements are made to the Non-Access Stratum (NAS) signaling to enable the 5G Core Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) to determine and enforce restrictions on enhanced coverage for UEs based on their subscription information during the registration procedure, using the REGISTRATION REQUEST and ACCEPT messages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If enhanced coverage is allowed for all UEs, then coverage extension capability is improved, but network resource utilization deteriorates due to unrestricted usage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing subscription-based configuration parameters that control enhanced coverage behavior. The UE's enhanced coverage functionality is managed through configurable parameters stored in the subscription data, allowing the network to dynamically adjust coverage enhancement behavior based on subscriber profiles, thereby optimizing resource utilization while maintaining coverage extension capability where needed.
2Productivity
If enhanced coverage restriction is enforced, then network resource optimization is improved, but device functionality deteriorates due to limited coverage access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by applying different restriction policies to different UEs based on their individual subscription profiles. Rather than a uniform restriction approach, each UE receives customized enhanced coverage configuration parameters that reflect their specific service agreements and network requirements, allowing optimized resource allocation while preserving necessary device functionality for each subscriber.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution employs dynamics by making enhanced coverage restrictions configurable and adaptable rather than static. The restriction parameters can be dynamically adjusted based on network conditions, subscriber behavior, and service requirements, allowing the system to balance resource optimization with device functionality needs over time.
3Ease of operation
If subscription-based restriction control is implemented, then operator policy management is improved, but signaling complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring enhanced coverage restriction parameters in the UE's subscription data before the UE connects to the network. During the registration procedure, the AMF retrieves these pre-configured parameters from the UDM and applies them to the UE, avoiding the need for complex real-time negotiation and reducing signaling complexity while maintaining operator policy control.
Data Source
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AI summary
A fifth-generation (5G) Core Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) (5GC AMF) is configured to decode a REGISTRATION REQUEST message received from a user equipment (UE). When the UE indicates support for restriction on use of enhanced coverage (EC), a RestrictEC bit is set to "Restriction on use of enhanced coverage supported" in a 5G mobility management (5GMM) capability information element (IE) of the REGISTRATION REQUEST message. The 5GC AMF may also encode a REGISTRATION ACCEPT message for transmission to the UE. When the UE indicated support for the restriction on use of EC in the REGISTRATION REQUEST message, the 5GC AMF may set the RestrictEC bit in a 5GS network feature support IE in the REGISTRATION ACCEPT message to indicate coverage enhancement modes are restricted.