AMF Context Transfer via RAN-UE Identifier Binding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for transferring a user equipment (UE) context between access and mobility management functions (AMFs) in 5G networks are resource-intensive, especially when the UE is in connected mode, as they often require repeating the binding process, which can be costly in terms of communication overhead and processing resources.
Innovation Solution
Implement a method that allows for seamless handoff between AMFs without involving the UE actively, by coordinating the transfer of UE context between different AMFs and the radio access network (RAN) on the backend, using RAN-UE and AMF-UE identifiers to manage transport network layer associations and update binding information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current methods for transferring UE context between AMFs are used, then service continuity is maintained, but resource consumption and communication overhead increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the binding update process from the radio access network (RAN) and performs it directly at the AMF level. When a UE context is transferred from a source AMF to a target AMF, the target AMF directly updates the binding information without involving the RAN, thereby maintaining service continuity while reducing resource consumption and communication overhead.
2Reliability
If binding process is repeated during AMF handoff, then service continuity is ensured, but communication overhead and processing resources are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-establishing the binding between UE and the target AMF before the handoff is complete. The target AMF proactively updates its binding information with the UE context during the transfer process, so that when the handoff finishes, the binding is already in place and no additional binding process is needed, thus ensuring service continuity while reducing processing time.
3Reliability
If RRC setup procedures are performed for AMF handoff, then proper network reconfiguration is achieved, but resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the AMF as an intermediary to handle the binding update process. Instead of requiring RRC setup procedures between UE and RAN for each AMF handoff, the target AMF acts as an intermediary that directly receives the UE context from the source AMF and updates its own binding information, achieving proper network reconfiguration without triggering additional RRC procedures and thus improving resource efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for robust adjustment of access and mobility management functions are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving a radio access network (RAN)-user equipment (UE) identifier from a first access and mobility management function (AMF), the RAN-UE identifier configured to identify a UE or UE context for a RAN; producing an AMF-UE identifier, the AMF-UE identifier configured to identify the UE or UE context for a second AMF; selecting a transport network layer association (TNLA) link towards a RAN; and sending the AMF-UE identifier to the RAN.