Application Function IP Address Allocation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mobile networks, existing IP address allocation methods fail to efficiently manage IP address changes for user equipment (UE) based on geographic location and application requirements, leading to suboptimal user experience due to potential distance from optimal compute resources.
Innovation Solution
An application function (AF) controls IP address changes for UE by determining location changes and requesting new IP addresses to ensure connection to closer edge data centers with cached resources, improving user experience by optimizing network access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If IP address allocation is controlled by traditional network functions, then network management is simplified, but user experience deteriorates due to inability to connect to optimal edge resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an Application Function (AF) as an intermediary between the UE and the network core. The AF receives location information from the SMF and autonomously decides whether to trigger IP address changes based on application requirements and geographic location, thereby improving connection quality without significantly complicating the overall network architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The AF is provided with location information in advance through the location information notification mechanism. This allows the AF to proactively determine optimal IP address assignments before the UE actually needs to access edge resources, ensuring continuous optimal connectivity.
2Reliability
If IP address changes are triggered frequently to maintain connection to edge resources, then user experience improves, but network signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the decision parameter from automatic location-based triggering to application-aware triggering. The AF evaluates both location changes and application-specific requirements before deciding to request IP address changes, thereby reducing unnecessary signaling while maintaining optimal connection quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The AF receives location information notifications and uses this feedback to intelligently determine when IP address changes are necessary. This feedback mechanism allows the system to avoid unnecessary IP address changes while ensuring optimal connectivity is maintained when needed.
3Reliability
If location information is continuously monitored to optimize IP assignment, then connection quality improves, but network function complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the location monitoring and evaluation function from the core network functions (SMF, AMF) and places it in the Application Function. The SMF only notifies the AF of location changes, while the AF performs the complex evaluation of whether IP address changes are needed based on application requirements, thereby simplifying the core network while achieving optimization.
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with various embodiments, a method is performed including establishing a first communication session between an application function and a user equipment assigned a first IP address. The method includes determining, by the application function, that the user equipment has changed location. The method includes, in response to determining that the user equipment has changed location, sending, by the application function, a request that the user equipment be assigned a second IP address. The method includes establishing a second communication session between the application function and the user equipment assigned the second IP address.