Access Network Intelligent Controller for Unified 3GPP and Non-3GPP Services
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Solution Overview
Problem
The lack of consistency across different types of access networks, such as 3GPP and non-3GPP networks, leads to barriers in providing unified services, inconsistent user experiences, and limited network slicing capabilities, as users often need to authenticate separately and manage different credentials for each network.
Innovation Solution
An access network intelligent controller (ANIC) that provides a platform for applications to interface with various access network control functions, enabling unified control and management across multiple types of access networks, including 3GPP and non-3GPP networks, through a common interface, facilitating services like authentication, network slicing, and resource management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate management entities control different access networks, then each network can be managed independently, but service consistency and user experience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a service interface layer that acts as an intermediary between different access networks and the core network. This service interface provides a unified, consistent interface for service access across multiple access networks (3GPP and non-3GPP), allowing independent management of each network while presenting consistent services to users. The service interface translates between different network-specific protocols and a standardized service interface.
2Reliability
If multiple authentication credentials are required for different access networks, then network security is maintained, but user convenience and authentication efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal authentication mechanism where a single authentication credential can be used across multiple access networks. The service interface layer provides unified authentication functionality that works across 3GPP and non-3GPP networks, eliminating the need for users to maintain separate authentication credentials for each network while maintaining security through proper authentication protocols.
3Reliability
If network slicing is limited to single access network, then slice isolation and security are maintained, but service flexibility and resource utilization deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges network slicing capabilities across multiple access networks by introducing a service interface that enables end-to-end network slices spanning both 3GPP and non-3GPP networks. The service interface layer coordinates slice management across networks, maintaining slice isolation and security while enabling flexible cross-network service deployment and improved resource utilization through shared infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
An example system includes an access network intelligent controller comprising processing circuitry configured to communicate with a 3GPP access network control function and a non-3GPP access network control function. The non-3GPP access network control function comprises a first plurality of controllable functions. The 3GPP access network control function comprises a second plurality of controllable functions. The access network intelligent controller is configured to execute one or more applications, each application of the one or more applications configured to: issue a subscription request for a subscription to a first controllable function of the first plurality of controllable functions of the non-3GPP access network control function or a second controllable function of the second plurality of controllable functions of the 3GPP access network control function, and exchange messages with the first controllable function or the second controllable function in accordance with the subscription.