5G UE Roaming Interworking for 4G-to-5G Context Translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current telecommunications networks face a technology gap where 5G capable user equipment (UE) cannot seamlessly roam from a 4G home network to a 5G visited network, with existing solutions primarily addressing the reverse scenario from 5G home to 4G visited networks.
Innovation Solution
A system is implemented to enable seamless roaming for 5G capable UE from a 4G home network to a 5G visited network by converting 5G context data to 4G context data and vice versa through interworking components, using specific interface adapters to facilitate communication and processing between 5G and 4G networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If 5G capable UE attempts to roam from 4G home network to 5G visited network, then higher throughput and lower latency are achieved, but seamless roaming is not possible due to technology gap between generations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an interworking function (IWF) as an intermediary component that bridges the 4G and 5G networks. The IWF receives service requests from 5G capable UE via the 5G visited network, converts 5G context data to 4G context data, and forwards to the 4G home network. This mediator enables seamless roaming by translating between different network protocols and contexts, resolving the technology gap between 4G and 5G networks.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing solutions are used for roaming, then compatibility with current networks is maintained, but 5G capable UE cannot seamlessly roam to 5G visited networks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal interworking function that handles multiple network contexts and service types. The IWF can process both 5G context data conversion to 4G and vice versa, supporting various service requests including PDU sessions, mobility management, and session management. This multi-functional approach enables the system to adapt to different roaming scenarios while maintaining reliability for 5G capable UE.
3Device complexity
If direct communication between 5G UE and 4G network is attempted, then simpler architecture is achieved, but proper context translation and processing cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the roaming functionality into distinct components: the 5G visited network interface, the interworking function with its context conversion capabilities, and the 4G home network interface. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its specific network context, ensuring accurate translation and processing of 5G to 4G context data while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
Technologies for seamless roaming of a fifth generation (5G) capable user equipment (UE) from a fourth generation (4G) home network to a 5G visited network are described. One method includes receiving, from an access and mobility management function (AMF) in the 5G visited network, a first data in a 5G context originated by a request from the 5G capable user equipment (UE) to use a 4G network service; converting the first data to a second data in a 4G context; sending, to the 4G home network, the second data; receiving, from the 4G home network, a third data in the 4G context, wherein the third data is a result of processing the second data by the 4G home network; converting the third data in the 4G context to a fourth data in the 5G context; and sending, to the AMF in the 5G visited network, the fourth data.