5G Session Management via Manual Roaming and Data Vouchers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G communication systems face challenges in providing data services to unauthenticated or unsubscribed terminals, particularly in supporting various service requirements and scalability issues due to the integration of mobility and session management functions in a single core device.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that allow unauthenticated terminals to manually select a mobile communication service provider, establish a restricted session, and use a data voucher for data services, involving a communication method using a Session Management Function (SMF) and a Data Network Authentication Authorization Accounting (DN-AAA) server to authenticate and provide data network profile information, enabling unauthenticated access and session management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If all terminals receive services through a single core device (MME) in 4G LTE, then service management is simplified, but scalability and function implementation complexity deteriorate when terminal numbers and service types increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the monolithic MME into separate AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function) and SMF (Session Management Function). The AMF handles registration, authentication, and mobility management, while the SMF handles session management and data service provisioning. This segmentation allows each function to be independently scaled and optimized, resolving the contradiction between simplified management and scalability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a terminal manually selects a service provider without subscription, then service access flexibility is improved, but authentication and session management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a DN-AAA (Data Network Authentication Authorization Accounting) server as an intermediary between the unauthenticated terminal and the SMF. The DN-AAA server handles authentication and provides DN profile information to the SMF, which then manages the restricted session. This intermediary approach allows manual service provider selection while offloading authentication complexity to a specialized component.
3Adaptability or versatility
If 5GC separates mobility management and session management functions, then scalability is improved, but system complexity and signaling load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements segmentation by separating AMF and SMF functions in the 5GC architecture. The AMF manages mobility and access functions, while the SMF manages sessions and data services. This functional separation enables independent scaling of each component and reduces the signaling load on any single device, directly addressing the scalability challenge.
4Ease of operation
If unauthenticated terminals are allowed to access data services, then service accessibility is improved, but network security and control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial authentication by allowing unauthenticated terminals to access data services with restrictions. The DN-AAA server provides DN profile information that enables limited session establishment without full network authentication. This partial action approach improves accessibility while maintaining network control through restricted session management and monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a 5G or pre-5G communication system to be provided to support a data transmission rate higher than that of a 4G communication system such as LTE. The present disclosure relates to a session management method through selection of a roaming operator and utilization of data usage rights of a local operator by a user in a 5G system. The user selects the local operator by switching the operator to a manual mode during roaming, accesses a data usage rights purchase agency through a limited service provided by the operator and then purchases the data usage rights of the local operator, and connects to a data network through authentication of a session by using authentication information included in the data usage rights.