Aggregator Proxy Function for Roaming Event Reporting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in detecting and reporting events, particularly when a communication device is roaming outside its home network, as existing solutions struggle with secure and efficient communication between different network operators.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an Aggregator Proxy Function (APF) in a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) that receives and aggregates event reports from monitoring functions, allowing secure communication and simplified decision-making between operators, and enables the generation of charging information without revealing underlying nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a monitoring function in a home network sends individual event reports to a report receiving function in a different network, then the location monitoring capability is provided, but the communication complexity and security management between different PLMNs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an Aggregator Proxy Function (APF) as an intermediary entity in the home network that collects individual event reports from multiple monitoring functions and aggregates them into a single consolidated report. This mediator simplifies the communication architecture between different PLMNs by reducing the number of direct communication paths while maintaining the reliability of location monitoring capability.
2Loss of information
If multiple monitoring functions send individual event reports to the report receiving function, then complete event information is provided, but the signaling overhead and network traffic increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an aggregation mechanism where the APF combines multiple individual event reports containing event information and request identifiers into a single consolidated aggregate event report. This merging process preserves all necessary event information from multiple monitoring functions while significantly reducing the total signaling overhead and network traffic to the report receiving function in the visited network.
3Measurement precision
If the system provides detailed event reporting for roaming devices, then the monitoring accuracy is improved, but the difficulty of secure communication between operators increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the monitoring system into distinct functional components: monitoring functions in the home network that detect events, an Aggregator Proxy Function that consolidates reports, and a report receiving function in the visited network. This segmentation allows each component to operate independently with well-defined interfaces, simplifying security management while maintaining monitoring accuracy for roaming devices.
4Speed
If individual event reports are sent from each monitoring function, then real-time event detection is achieved, but the processing load on the report receiving function increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary aggregation of event reports at the APF in the home network before forwarding them to the report receiving function in the visited network. This preliminary action of consolidating multiple individual reports into a single aggregate report reduces the processing load on the report receiving function while maintaining real-time event detection capabilities through the timely aggregation process.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments herein relate to systems and methods for providing monitoring services. According to a first aspect of the embodiments herein, a method for providing a monitoring service is provided., The method comprises receiving, at an aggregator proxy function, APF in a first Public Land Mobile Network, PLMN, a first event report transmitted by a monitoring function in the first PLMN. The first event report comprising first event information related to a monitoring event, and a request identifier. Further, receiving, at the APF, a second event report transmitted by a monitoring function in the first PLMN. The second event report comprising second event information related to the monitoring event, and said request identifier. After receiving the first and second event reports, the APF transmitting an aggregate event report to a report receiving function not in the first PLMN. Such a report receiving function may be e.g. an SCEF implemented in a in a second PLMN that is separate and distinct from the first PLMN or at an extemal business partner. The aggregate event report comprising at least one of the first event information and the second event information, and said request identifier. Further, the embodiments herein relate to a corresponding aggregator proxy function (APF), a corresponding method in a monitoring function, and a corresponding monitoring function node.